System for dispensing a cosmetic product

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system ( 10 ) for dispensing a product, comprising a dispenser that can house at least two cartridges, each of which includes a reservoir containing a base product, a first base product comprising at least 0.1 wt.-% particles having a density differential relative to the medium containing same, preferably of at least 0.5 g/cm3, in particular particles having a density greater than or equal to 2 g/cm3, and a thickening agent. The dispenser allows at least two base products to be dispensed in adjustable proportions, the viscosity of the first base product being preferably greater than 2 Pa·s and more preferably greater than or equal to 4 Pa·s.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/306,408, filed Nov. 30, 2018,which is the National Stage of the International Patent Application No.PCT/EP2017/063508, filed Jun. 2, 2017, which is based on and claims thebenefits of priority to French Application No. 1655053, filed on Jun. 2,2016. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for dispensing acosmetic product, notably a makeup product, a coloring product, anantisun product, a care product or a perfume.

A) Blender System that can Work with Compositions Comprising DenseParticles

Many people wish to make themselves up in order to enhance theirappearance, particularly their face.

There are two types of reason why these people may wish to do this:

-   -   to conceal certain imperfections, such as blemishes, wrinkles or        pores,    -   to enhance the look of the face by changes of color.

In these different cases, the operation involves supplying a coloredsubstance and covering the skin or an area of skin therewith.

In order to obtain an attractive effect, the person needs to make thecorrect choice of colored substance.

In the first of the cases given above, the operation may be complicatedbecause the face comprises a whole range of colors.

Thus, if the person wishes to cover only a few areas of the face, byattempting to make the color added coincide with the natural color ofthe surrounding skin, he or she needs to find the color suited to eacharea of the face, a task rendered all the more difficult by the factthat the coverage of the product and the thickness of the layer applied,together with the color and surface condition of the underlying skin orthe greasiness thereof may influence the result.

Bearing these difficulties in mind, people seeking to concealimperfections on their face adopt the habit of covering the entire face.This then gets around the problem of choosing the colored substancedepending on the area of the face.

However, because of the uniformity it brings, the result detracts fromthe natural appearance of the face.

In the second case, the operation is not simple either because it isdifficult to find a colored substance which best suits the appearance ofthe face. In particular, it is difficult to find the color of one'scomplexion, particularly if looking for a bold color different fromone's natural coloring. Some people would like to choose sun-kissedcolors or other shades of different coloring, but do not do so out offear that the color will not suit them. And if they do, they often giveup, disappointed. When not disappointed by the result, they no longerdare change color.

The same goes for makeup applied to the lips, cheeks and eyelids.

There are very few solutions for solving these problems.

A first approach is to purchase numerous products and try them all out.This approach is costly and often gives rise to waste insofar as only asmall number of the colored substances tried are generally kept.

A second approach is to test out various products in store. That is notalways suitable, because it is very difficult to get a feeling for theresults in just a few moments and at a location missing the usuallandmarks. In particular, in order to fully assess the makeup effect instore, it would be necessary to be able to have the same lighting aswill be found in future conditions of use, and this is something that israrely possible. In general, it is only by testing out makeup over thecourse of a day that one can determine whether or not it is suitable. Inaddition, while certain stores have advisers and allow testing, this isnot the case for a large number of other sales outlets and Internetsales.

Another approach has been tested but not developed. This consists increating one's products by hand by mixing several colored products. Thismay prove relatively difficult to do because it is not very easy toreproduce the same mixture exactly a number of times over, and it isawkward to quickly create the mixtures one needs at the moment ofapplying the makeup.

Dispensers for dispensing a cosmetic composition of variable color arealso known.

The application US2003069667 relates to methods and devices that allowthe cosmetic products used by a consumer to be customized. The consumerprovides selection criteria and a cosmetic product formulation isderived therefrom. The base ingredients are blended in accordance withthe formulation and a customized cosmetic product is dispensed onto anintermediate surface for later application.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,960 discloses a method for obtaining foundationswhich are able to cover imperfections of the human skin. The steps ofthe method include using spectophotometry to measure a normal clientskin in order to obtain values for the brightness, red and yellow in theskin color, these being respectively denoted as the L, a and b values.These values are then converted by calculation into modified valuesdetermined by an L, a and b correction program. A foundation isformulated on the basis of these modified values. A remote-formulationmachine converts the instructions received and meters out and blends aseries of base products. The mixture delivered by the machine ispackaged and sent to the client.

The application FR2970403 discloses a device for dispensing a cosmeticproduct, notably a perfume, having at least one reservoir containing aproduct to be dispensed, notably several reservoirs, and a rinsingdevice. The device may be operated using a microcomputer or the like. Aman-machine interface, for example a keyboard or a screen, notably atouch screen, allows the user to command the dispensing of a formulationof his or her choice. The device may be designed to communicate with aserver or other similar devices to exchange recipes or allow the user toreceive advice. A memory of an electronic circuit of the device mayrecord the best formulations so that these can be reproduced on demandand exchanged. The device may also be used to produce mixtures ofcolored cosmetic products. A certain quantity, for example one drop, ofcolored composition is then produced by the device and used for makeupapplication or is intended to be blended with a foundation cream or anyother colored or uncolored base. The device allows easy generation ofthe color desired by the user, who may, for example, create severaldifferent color mixtures in just a few moments.

The patent application FR2818101 relates to a device for spraying acosmetic product, notably a foundation. It is possible to create anextemporaneous mixture on the substrate treated.

The application FR 2877819 describes a dispenser that allows therelative proportions of different base products that are dispensed to bevaried. It is thus possible to adjust the color. The base products comefrom different reservoirs and are dispensed via separate passages whichopen out side by side at one end of the dispenser. One drawback of thisis that the user has to do the mixing on the skin or on an intermediatesupport. In addition, if the quantity dispensed is excessive, it islost.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,622,692 and 5,903,465 describe other examples ofdispensers for dispensing a customized cosmetic composition.

Of the tests that have been able to be attempted for automating themanufacture of a customized cosmetic composition, many are those inwhich the proposed solutions allow mixtures to be created in quantitiesof around 100 g or sometimes less, but not in the very small proportionsgenerally needed by a person applying makeup, namely in the region ofone gram or much less.

In order to illustrate this problem, consider the case of somebodywishing to hide two imperfections in the region of one cm² on her face.For the first area, she needs to find the corresponding mixture, thendeliver a very small quantity, for example around 10 mg, thereof. Forthe second, she needs to change the setting of the dispenser, then, onceagain, deliver a very small quantity.

Therefore, for a great many people, choosing the colored substances thatwill yield the best results remains a difficult matter.

There is therefore a need to make searching for a makeup product thatmeets the expectations of a consumer and that allows this consumer tocreate mixtures under reliable conditions and in very small quantitieseasier.

Therefore, according to certain aspects, the invention seeks to make iteasier to make up the face, and notably to find the products best suitedto the various areas thereof.

There is also a need to improve the dispensing systems for deliveringproducts of variable color, in order notably to make these easier to useand improve the quality of the makeup.

Certain aspects of the invention rely upon a dispensing system thatallows mixtures to be generated from base products. These base productsmay be of different colors, such that the color of the mixture can bevaried. The base products may even make it possible to vary the coverageof the mixture, such that the color resulting from applying the mixtureto human keratin materials varies, being fairly close to that of saidmaterials. Thus, the idea of color is to be understood in a broad senseand encompasses mixtures of which the color varies after application asa result of variations in their level of coverage and in the color ofthe underlying skin.

The precision of the color obtained only matters if the color remainsconstant throughout the use of the system. This is all the moreessential when the manufacturer bases the attractiveness of the systemon the makeup results allowed thereby. Thus, in the first scenario, if aparticular color has been identified for an area of the face, it isnecessary that the system be capable of reproducing this identifiedcolor each time it is used. The same goes in the second scenario, inwhich the treatment for adjustment purposes has to be very faithful tothe color that has been chosen.

The concealing effects are based on the use of particles (pigments,filler). As is known, the particles can separate out naturally. In theprocess, this phenomenon can bring about a difference in concentrationof particles throughout the use of the system, and this can producemarked variations in the makeup effect. In order to understand thephenomenon of variation, it should be recalled that, usually (outsidethe invention), a variation in pigment concentration causes especiallyvariations in coverage, but little in the way of color variation.Moreover, if a separating phenomenon occurs, the user can identify theproblem by seeing:

1) that the system is delivering a product without particles,characteristic of phase separation, i.e. an aqueous or oily product,

2) or that the system is delivering a product very full of particles,i.e. one that is thick and difficult to spread.

In a dispensing system with multiple reservoirs, in which compositionsof different colors are delivered in order to create a mixture, avariation in particle concentration in one or more of the reservoirsrisks not being noticed since the other products delivered by the otherreservoirs dilute the mixture. It follows that the user cannot identifythe problem from the appearance of the mixture and in this way applies amixture with a color different from that which is expected.

It may be conceivable that, with the separating phenomena beingequivalent in each of the reservoirs, they compensate one another andlimit the variations in color. However, the user may very easily use hisor her system such that the reservoirs empty at different speeds. Thus,since the compartments are used at different rates, there is a risk ofthe separating phenomena being very different from one compartment tothe other. This is especially the case when a reservoir may remain inthe system for a very long time if it is used little.

There is a problem when it is desired to use products containingparticles of high density (ranging from 2 g/cm³ to sometimes more than 8g/cm³), such as those chosen from

-   -   Bismuth oxychloride: 7.7 g/cm³    -   Cerium oxide: 7.6 g/cm³    -   Chromium oxide: 5.7 g/cm³    -   Zirconium oxide: 5.6 g/cm³    -   Iron oxide: 5.2 g/cm³    -   Titanium oxide: 4.3 g/cm³    -   Talc (hydroxylated magnesium silicate): 2.7 g/cm³    -   Calcium carbonate: 2.7 g/cm³    -   Silica: 2.6 g/cm³    -   Boron nitride: 2.1 g/cm³

or even more than 8 g/cm³, such as tungsten carbide (15 g/cm³).

One possibility would be to use agitation systems, but these arecomplicated in particular if small doses are required. In particular,the agitation processes require a minimum time, which is difficult tolimit to less than a few seconds. However, in order for the system towork, in particular when small doses are produced, the reaction time hasto be very short, typically less than one second, in order that the userdoes not have to wait too long.

Furthermore, the agitation systems act especially on the mass in directcontact therewith. Thus, if a stirring blade is used, for example, it isespecially the part in contact with the blade that will be agitated. Anyproduct situated in other parts such as tubes will not be agitated.However, the latter have to have a uniform particle density.

The agitation systems also have other limits such as energy consumption,noise, and also:

-   -   The difficulty of homogenizing certain compositions        (shear-thickening compositions)    -   The difficulty of placing a homogenizing system in a reservoir        if the latter has a variable volume and is intended to change        volume (the case of compartments pushed by a piston)    -   The risks of forming aggregates, in particular when the products        contain fibers, for example

Finally, the manufacturer may intentionally wish to impose a gradient ofparticles or other non-particulate ingredient in one or more reservoirs,for example, in order to create a variation in an effect over time, suchas an anti-acne effect that decreases from application to application.In this case, he will fill the reservoir with a gradient that he wishesto retain throughout the use. Homogenization would thus hinder thisapplication.

According to a first aspect, the invention seeks to make it possible totreat one or more areas of the face and to obtain mixtures that are veryprecise in terms of color faithfulness. Hereinbelow, the term “area” isused to denote a defined part of the face, fairly small in surface area,covering between 1 cm² and 100 cm², better still ranging from 2 cm² to50 cm².

The invention achieves this aim by virtue of a system for dispensing aproduct, having a dispenser that receives at least two cartridges thateach have a reservoir (also known as compartment) containing a baseproduct, a first base product comprising at least 0.1% by mass ofparticles exhibiting a difference in density of at least 0.5 g/cm³ withthe medium which contains them, particles having a density greater thanor equal to 2 g/cm³, and a thickener, the dispenser making it possibleto deliver at least two base products in adjustable proportions.

The first base product comprises at least 0.1% by mass, relative to thetotal mass of the first base product, of particles exhibiting adifference in density of at least 0.5 g/cm³ with the medium whichcontains them.

Preferably, the first base product is contained in one of the at leasttwo cartridges, and the at least two base products delivered by thedispenser in adjustable proportions are the first base product and asecond base product, contained in the other of the at least twocartridges.

The invention may have one or more of the following features, consideredin isolation or in combination:

-   -   the first base product comprises at least 1% by mass, relative        to the total mass of the first base product, better still at        least 2% by mass, relative to the total mass of the first base        product, even better still between 3% and 10% by mass, relative        to the total mass of the first base product, even more        preferably between 4% and 7% by mass, relative to the total mass        of the first base product, of particles exhibiting a difference        in density of at least 0.5 g/cm³, better still of at least 1        g/cm³, even better still between 2 g/cm³ and 10 g/cm³, even more        preferably between 4 g/cm³ and 8 g/cm³, with the medium which        contains them.    -   the viscosity of the first base product is greater than or equal        to 2 Pa·s and preferably greater than or equal to 4 Pa·s, more        preferably between 4 Pa·s and 10 Pa·s, even more preferably        between 5 Pa·s and 8 Pa·s, the viscosity being measured at 1 atm        and 25° C. with a CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an        MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuring bar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10        minutes of rotation of the measuring bar.    -   the second base product has a viscosity less than that of the        first base product.    -   the second base product has a viscosity less than or equal to 2        Pa·s, preferably less than or equal to 1 Pa·s, more preferably        less than or equal to 0.8 Pa·s, even more preferably between 0.6        Pa·s and 0.2 Pa·s.    -   the density of said particles is greater than or equal to 5        g/cm³, better still greater than or equal to 6 g/cm³, even        better still between 6 g/cm³ and 10 g/cm³, preferably between 7        g/cm³ and 8 g/cm³.    -   the particles comprise at least one of the materials chosen from        the following list: bismuth oxychloride, cerium oxide, chromium        oxide, zirconium oxide, iron oxide, titanium oxide, talc,        calcium carbonate, silica, boron nitride, tungsten carbide,        preferably being chosen from bismuth oxychloride and cerium        oxide.    -   the second product does not have any particles with a density        greater than or equal to 7 g/cm³, better still with a density        greater than or equal to 6 g/cm³, even better still with a        density greater than or equal to 5 g/cm³, preferably with a        density greater than or equal to 2 g/cm³.    -   the thickener of the first base product is chosen from        saccharide compounds of the rubber type, such as gum arabic,        acacia gum, guar gum, gellan gum, karaya gum, carrageenan gum,        cellulose-based compounds such as CMC, HMC, HPMC, synthetic        polymers such as polyacrylic or polymethacrylic acids such as        carbomers (Carbopol), or polyurethanes, polyvinyl acetate,        polyvinyl alcohol, inverse or direct thick emulsions,        combinations of non-aqueous solvents with thickening agents for        oil, clays such as bentonite, attapulgite, organochelators,        proteins such as casein or collagen, shear-thinning or        thixotropic rheology agents, preferably being chosen from        saccharide compounds of the rubber type, such as gum arabic,        acacia gum, guar gum, gellan gum, karaya gum, carrageenan gum.    -   the thickener of the first base product is chosen from        saccharide compounds of the rubber type, and its mass content in        the first base product is between 0.1% and 5% relative to the        total mass of the first base product, better still between 0.8%        and 2.5% relative to the total mass of the first base product,        even better still between 1.5% and 2.3% relative to the total        mass of the first base product.    -   the system comprises a third cartridge with a third base        product.    -   the third base product comprises a thickener identical to or        different than that of the first base product, preferably        identical to that of the first base product.    -   the thickener of the third base product that is different from        the thickener of the first base product is chosen from the same        list as the thickener of the first base product, preferably        being chosen from saccharide compounds of the rubber type, such        as gum arabic, acacia gum, guar gum, gellan gum, karaya gum,        carrageenan gum.    -   the cartridges are received in a removable manner in the        dispenser.    -   each product leaves the cartridge through an outlet passage of        the cartridge, the outlet passage being defined by a dispensing        end piece of the cartridge, said end piece being driven in        rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drive        mechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base product        contained in the cartridge.    -   the system comprises a mechanism for homogenizing the first base        product, notably a vibrating mechanism; this mechanism may be        incorporated into the cartridge, if necessary.

Dispensing System

The dispensing system may consist of a single device operatingautonomously, preferably able to be manipulated in one hand, or of adevice that operates in interaction with other components or devices. Itmay for example entail various outlet interfaces which are mounted onthe dispenser depending on the type of makeup to be created, as will bespecified below. It may also entail a computer system which exchangesinformation with the dispenser in order to operate the latter, thiscomputer system comprising, for example, a portable terminal such as asmartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a dedicatedterminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s. Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20and 100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thuspossible to easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensingsystem is therefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, forcovering an area of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

The dispensing system may thus comprise a dispenser having a housing,and at least one cartridge received in the housing of the dispenser,this cartridge having a body and a piston that is able to move in thebody, the housing having a motorized drive mechanism for moving thepiston of the cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the shade, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the shade to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severalbase products of different colors.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime; as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted such that one product is dispensed while the otherproducts are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped. Such a dispensing system is especiallysuited to liners, glosses and other formulations applied without directcontact with the hands. This container may be removable.

For example, it is used as a lip-color dispenser and has a dispensingsystem, for example using a screw. When it is not removable, thecontainer may be produced with the body of the dispenser. When it isremovable, it may constitute one output interface among others that canbe mounted on the dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture A to a mixture B severaltimes in succession. In the case of application by spraying, amultilayer application can thus be achieved, with different formulationsfor two superposed adjacent coats. Another mode makes it possible forexample to offer several preprogrammed successive mixtures, the computersystem each time indicating to the user how these should be used, forexample by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the person isfully made up.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

Particles

The density of the medium which contains the particles may be between0.7 g/cm³ and 1.3 g/cm³, better still between 0.8 g/cm³ and 1.2 g/cm³,even better still between 0.9 g/cm³ and 1.1 g/cm³.

One or more compartments comprise particles with a density greater thanor equal to 2 g/cm³, better still greater than or equal to 5 g/cm³,better still greater than or equal to 6 g/cm³, even better still between6 g/cm³ and 10 g/cm³, preferably between 7 g/cm³ and 8 g/cm³ in acontent of at least 0.1% by mass relative to the mass of the baseproduct containing said particles, better still at least 1% by massrelative to the mass of the base product containing said particles, evenbetter still at least 2% by mass relative to the mass of the baseproduct containing said particles, preferably in a content of between 2%and 10% by mass relative to the mass of the base product containing saidparticles, more preferably in a content of between 4% and 7% by massrelative to the mass of the base product containing said particles.

The particles may contain metal atoms, such as atoms of titanium, iron,chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, cerium, bismuth, zinc or copper. Theymay be of all shapes and sizes.

The invention also relates to the products containing particles that arelighter than the medium in which they are present and therefore riskcollecting at the top. In particular, the particles of the invention maybe mineral or organic particles containing air or a gas such as silicaaerogels or expanded polymer particles, such as polystyrene expanded bylight alkanes. The density of such particles may be less than or equalto 0.5 g/cm³, better still less than or equal to 0.2 g/cm³, even betterstill between 0.05 and 0.2 g/cm³.

The particles may be intended to impart color or coverage or otheroptical effects (reflection, mattness, photoprotection) (main object ofthe invention) or other advantages, such as a softening effect orabsorption of sebum, moisture or pollution.

Viscosity and Viscosity Agents

The viscosity of the products is measured at 1 atm and 25° C. with aCONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar.

The rheologies are newtonian or non-newtonian. In particular, preferenceis given to thickeners that confer a shear-thinning rheology, meaningthat the viscosity thereof is not proportional to the stress applied,with or without a thixotropic nature, meaning that the viscosity thereofdecreases over time. They are typically produced from mineral compoundssuch as bentonite or organic compounds such as hyaluronic acid.

The thickeners of the invention may be gelling compounds, for instancenatural ingredients such as saccharides for instance gum arabics, acaciagum, guar gum, gellan gum, karaya gum, etc., synthetic polymers such aspolyacrylic or polymethacrylic acids such as carbomers (Carbopol),inverse or direct thick emulsions, or combinations of non-aqueoussolvents with thickening agents for oil.

In the case of saccharide compounds of the “rubber” type, its masscontent in the first base product is between 0.1% and 5% relative to thetotal mass of the base product, better still between 0.8% and 2.5%relative to the total mass of the base product, even better stillbetween 1% and 2% relative to the total mass of the base product.

The gelling compounds that can be used may be natural or artificial,such as starches (E441), pectins (E440), agar (E406), alginic acid(E400), sodium alginate (E401), potassium alginate (E402), ammoniumalginate (E403), calcium alginate (E404), carrageenan (E407) oringredients originating from animals (gelatin such as E441).

For solvent-rich formulations, use may be made of an organogelator.These are typically organic liquids, a mineral oil or a vegetable oil,trapped in a three-dimensional network resulting from the supramolecularself-assembly of small organic molecules (known as organogelators)forming microscopic or nanoscopic structures. They are used in an amountof 1 to 10% and may be for example derivatives of4-tert-butyl-1-arylcyclohexanols, polymeric derivatives such aspolyethylene glycols, polyesters, polyalkylenes, derivatives ofN-lauroyl-L-lysine ethyl ester, derivatives of peptides, small fattyacids.

When a thickener of shear-thinning rheology is used, products of whichthe viscosity exceeds 50 Pa·s, better still exceeds 100 Pa·s, evenbetter still is between 10 and 100 Pa·s, may be used. Thisshear-thinning rheology is defined such that the viscosity drops atleast by a factor of 2 when the stress is increased by a factor of 10.(passage from 1 to 10 s⁻¹)

In order to measure this visosity, a test is carried out as is describedin the thesis by Clément Saidou HAL Id: tel-00870761:https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00870761/document

More specifically, an ARG2 type imposed-stress rheometer distributed byTA may be used. The tests are carried out in a geometry of the rotarymodule of the Couette type made of plexiglass, with an air gap e=1 mm.The torque is applied to around 30 ml of product through the use of ashear cell into which the sample is filled. This torque brought about byelectromechanical stress is then monitored by means of a sensor fixed tothe moving part of the rheometer. Then, the corresponding shear stressand the speed of deformation (or speed gradient) generated aredetermined as a characteristic function of the Couette used, making itpossible to link the apparent viscosity (in Pa·s) to the shear rate (ins⁻¹).

Compliance with the Rheological Rules Over the Set of Compartments

If the dispensing system only comprises a single base product containingdense particles, it preferably complies with the rheological rulesdefined above.

If the system comprises two or more base products containing denseparticles:

-   -   at least one base product containing dense particles may comply        with the rheological rules defined above.    -   preferably, all the base products containing dense particles        comply with the rheological rules defined above.

Preferably, if the dispensing system comprises at least one compartmentwithout dense particles, at least one base product that does not containdense particles has a viscosity less than or equal to 2 Pa·s, betterstill less than or equal to 1 Pa·s, more preferably less than or equalto 0.8 Pa·s, even more preferably between 0.6 Pa·s and 0.2 Pa·s.

Use of a Base Product for Reducing the Viscosity

As just mentioned above, the low viscosity of the particle-freecompartment makes it possible, by dilution, to limit the viscosity ofthe mixture dispensed.

However, if this compartment is used in minor proportions, for exampleless than 33% by mass of the final composition obtained in the case of athree-compartment dispensing system, this dilution effect is relativelysmall. Thus, it is possible to add to this base product without denseparticles a viscosity-limiting agent, such as ethanol.

Optional Use of a Homogenizing Means

The dispensing system may include a homogenizing means such as avibrating part or some other system that sets the base product inmovement in the corresponding compartment.

The dispensing system may also be intended to be placed on a vibratingstand, for example vibrating at between 10 000 Hz and 1 Hz, better stillbetween 1000 and 5 Hz, even better still between 400 and 100 Hz.

This homogenizing system may be triggered by the user, or may betriggered as part of a sequence triggered by the user. For example, whenthe user starts up the device, homogenization is initiated. Or, when thesystem senses a movement (an acceleration), the system produces ahomogenizing action.

The homogenizing system may be triggered regularly, even when the systemis not being used.

Use for Making Up One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, day after day, withonly the areas that need to be hidden being treated. To this end, smalldoses of makeup are delivered, and are applied specifically andsequentially to the corresponding areas. Each small dose is createdusing the mixture suited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below. As an alternative, the dispensingsystem informs the person, when delivering a mixture, of the area towhich the person is to apply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing systemmay follow an application program in which it delivers, in a givenorder, the various mixtures that are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the color, the area of the face and thequantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and wastageof product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoiding occlusioneffects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that have a highcovering capability and provide too much cover to be applied to thewhole of the face. Thus, it is possible to obtain makeup of natural oreven undetectable appearance.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

The dispensing system is suited to treating the areas that are to beconcealed, without having to conceal the entire face.

When the user is looking for the color to apply to an area of the face,it is advantageous to memorize the color best suited to each area, andthe dispensing system is thus advantageously designed to memorize thiscolor and the corresponding area. Thus, by using the memorizedinformation, on each use, the same mixture can be delivered for eacharea or, if several areas are being treated, the same series of mixturescan be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the colors application after application. Thus, theperson may make up her lips using different colors that she chooses on aday-by-day basis to suit her tastes. This approach is also suitable forthe eyelids or eyelashes, and for face makeup because the person mayfancy a change of foundation color. For example, on weekdays, the personapplies a pale colored foundation, with a more tanned foundation colorat the weekends, or may have eye makeup in one color one day and anothercolor another day.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change colorto suit her tastes according to the day, the time, what she is wearing,and the weather. Thus, a system to assist with decision making isadvantageously provided to guide the user in her choices of color.

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing the colors onthe same face and to contribute toward a successful overall makeup look.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Graduated Makeup

It is possible to ensure that the dispensing system changes theformulation of the mixture while it is delivering the product. It ispossible to move the outlet for the base products or for the mixturerelative to a container or a support defining an application surface. Inone particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isdesigned to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves as a functionof the color C1 of one area to be treated and of the color C2 of anotherarea to be treated. For example, with the knowledge that the chinrequires a color C1 and that the cheek requires a color C2, thedispensing system may vary the formulation of the mixture while it isdelivering it in order to graduate the color between these two colors.This makes it possible for example to better conceal imperfections ofthe face while ensuring that the end result is realistic, or allowscolor to be graduated for beautifying purposes. The dispensing systemmay also be designed such that the user can command a variation in colorof the mixture dispensed without the start and/or end colors having beenset beforehand. To do that, the dispensing system may possess a locationor auto-location system and deduce from a look-up table the colors C1and C2 that it has to create and therefore the changes in the mixturethat it has to make.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition.

These compositions may contain absorbent particles or reactivecompounds, such as those that react in contact with the air, for examplecyanoacrylate or alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notablyUV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid, and thushomogenized after being delivered.

Creation of Color Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of colors suited to various parts ofthe face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

The dispensing system may thus have a cup and a dispenser for fillingthe cup with at least one product, the cup being secured to thedispenser at least while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the making up to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of colored substancesand/or allow the preparation of several different color mixturesintended for making up respective areas of the face. The cups may beassociated with identifiers that remind the user of the area of the facefor which a mixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Preferably, the size and shape of the cupeither allow direct application of the mixture to the skin or allow themixture to be picked up on a finger or using an applicator. The cup maybe made of an elastically deformable material, making it possible forexample to turn the concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out andempty it more easily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a makeupproduct, comprising the step of filling a cup of a dispensing system asdefined above with at least one base product from the dispenser.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

The dispensing system may thus have a dispenser having outlet passagesfor base products and an outlet interface that is separable from thedispenser, this interface having a static blender that preferablydelivers the mixture into a cavity where it can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

It is possible to use several outlet interfaces and to fill them withdifferent respective mixtures, without the need to purge the blender,thereby reducing losses of product. The outlet interface may be asingle-use interface, if necessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the color of themixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a system for dispensing a makeup product, having adispenser that receives at least two cartridges that each have areservoir containing a base product, the latter leaving the cartridgethrough an outlet passage of the cartridge, this outlet passage openingto outside of the dispenser or near the external surface thereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the end of the housing ofthe dispenser in the absence of the outlet interface. The mounting areamay be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks easily and be able, if so desired, to make upareas as different as the skin, the lips, the eyelashes or eyebrows.

The dispensing system may thus comprise an assembly having a dispenserof at least one cosmetic product, in particular makeup, and at least twooutlet interfaces, each of which can be mounted removably on thedispenser, these outlet interfaces being able to receive the product(s)delivered by the dispenser, preferably being chosen from the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method involving the stepof selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing a color with an area, with recording.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of colored substance may be applied with a finger,using conventional tools such as brushes, or using specialistapplicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriate color.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same color is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies a color, then makes anassessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the color is suited. The mixture is then indexed in thecomputer system which attributes it to the area(s) of the face for whichit is suitable.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a learning process for a dispensing system comprising adispenser for dispensing a mixture of variable color, and a computersystem for selecting a color and for storing data, comprising the stepsof:

a) selecting at least one color with the aid of an interface of thecomputer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture ofthe selected color,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face,

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for making up said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outletsto advise people wishing to apply makeup or at home in order to definecorrectly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the color of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for a referenceof a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics of themixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area, and torelay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture color at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user acolor and an area to be tested with a mixture of this color.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one color ofmixture in step a) depending on an application area of which it has beeninformed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of a color of which it has been informedby the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two mixtures ofdifferent colors, preferably separate, so that they can be appliedsimultaneously to the test area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of making up using adispensing system according to the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need formakeup,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposed color for makingup an associated zone, on the basis of the learning performedbeforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the mixture ofthe proposed color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one color and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture of the        color selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the color of the        mixture and of an associated application area, notably with a        view to subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably on the        same area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for makeup,        notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one color and/or one        application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the mixture of the proposed        color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is thus a method of applying makeup involving the steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the color of a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image to the second site,        so as to receive in return information relating to the makeup        result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the makeup result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser to alter thecolor of the mixture and adapt it to best suit the face of the personpresent at the first site. Thus, this person controls the mixturedelivered by the dispenser. The first person may make herself up underthe gaze of the second. The second person sees the result of the test ontheir screen and can thus correct the mixture that this second personwill control remotely until the ideal makeup is obtained.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup appliedat the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the color of each ofthe base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup. This embodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists andtheir work, either within an institute or over the Internet. It alsoallows people with limited capabilities, such as people with pooreyesight, or people who have difficulty discerning colors, or theelderly, or those lacking in self-confidence to apply makeup.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the color of the mixture dispensed.

The dispensing system may thus have a dispenser and a computer systemfor operating the dispenser, this computer system having a touch screenon which the color of the mixture can be displayed, and a selectionmeans movable on the screen, in order to vary the color of the dispensedmixture.

Preferably, the screen displays end-point colors between which the colorof the mixture can be selected by moving the selection means betweenthese end-point colors.

The screen may display a scale of colors between at least two colors, oran area, notably of triangular outline, within which the selection meanscan be moved. This area may locally show the color of the mixturedepending for example on the distance from each of the vertices, eachone embodying a pure base product.

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired color.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

The dispensing system may have a spray system, preferably an airbrush,the assembly having:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent colors.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate thecolor depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for applying makeup usingan assembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto theskin using the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the color of the mixture dispensed while theface is being made up, notably as the area to be made up changes.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

The invention may be understood better from reading the followingdetailed description of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments thereof andfrom studying the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a dispensingsystem according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the dispensing system in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 illustrates the picking up of product delivered by the dispensingsystem,

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view, with certain components removed,of the dispensing system in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 separately and partially shows a cartridge of base product forthe dispenser,

FIG. 6 shows the top of the cartridge with the drive piece,

FIG. 7 separately shows the drive piece, in perspective,

FIG. 8 separately shows a support for the cartridge,

FIG. 9 shows the dispenser drive mechanism,

FIG. 10 shows one of the motors separately, coupled to the rest of thedrive mechanism,

FIG. 11 shows an electronic board for controlling the motors,

FIG. 12 is a cross section of the dispenser,

FIG. 13 shows the housing of the dispenser without the outlet interface,

FIG. 14 separately shows a first example of an outlet interface, viewedfrom above,

FIGS. 15, 15A, 16, 16A and 17 show other examples of outlet interfaces,

FIGS. 18 and 19 are two other views of the outlet interface in FIG. 17,

FIG. 20 separately shows the static blender,

FIG. 21 is an axial section of the outlet interface in FIG. 17,

FIG. 22 shows another outlet interface intended to cooperate with anairbrush,

FIG. 23 shows, with hidden detail, the various passages of the outletinterface in FIG. 22,

FIG. 24 illustrates the outlet interface in FIGS. 22 and 23 connected toan airbrush,

FIGS. 25, 27 to 29, 29A, 29B and 29C show other examples of outletinterfaces,

FIG. 30 illustrates the operation of the dispenser using a portableterminal,

FIG. 31 shows one example of a graphic interface allowing the dispenserto be operated,

FIG. 32 shows another example of a graphic interface,

FIG. 33 illustrates an example of how the graphic interface in FIG. 32evolves as the device is being used,

FIG. 34 shows another example of a graphic interface,

FIGS. 35 and 36 show other examples of graphic interfaces,

FIG. 37 illustrates how the interface in FIG. 36 evolves while thedevice is being used,

FIG. 38 shows a graphic interface of an example of a computer systemaccording to the invention,

FIG. 39 shows an example of a look-up table,

FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating steps of an example of a methodaccording to the invention,

FIGS. 41 to 44 and 46 are views similar to FIG. 40 of other examples ofmethods,

FIG. 45 shows an example of a support allowing the application ofseveral different colored compositions,

FIG. 47 illustrates a system allowing exchange of information with aremote adviser, and

FIG. 48 illustrates a support having a plurality of spaces containingdifferent mixtures.

An example of a dispensing system 10 that may be suitable for theinvention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and has a dispenser 11 which isprovided in its upper part with an outlet interface 110 via which acosmetic product of customized formulation is dispensed.

The dispenser 11 can be manipulated by one hand. Its length, excludingthe outlet interface, is, for example, between 140 and 160 mm and itsdiameter is between 40 and 60 mm.

The dispensing system 10 may, as illustrated, have an actuating meansfor controlling the dispensing, for example a push-button 12.

When the user presses the push-button 12, the dispenser 11 delivers theproduct on the basis of information communicated to it beforehand by acomputer system, for example using a wireless transmission, as will bedescribed in detail below. The operation of the push-button 12 may beprogrammed from an interface of the computer system, so as to deliverthe mixture continuously for as long as pressure is applied, or todeliver only a predefined dose, irrespective of the length of time forwhich the user presses the push-button.

As can be seen notably in FIG. 4, the dispenser 11 houses severalcartridges 30 that each contain a base product, the dispenser 11allowing the quantity of each of the base products that is dispensed tobe metered so that after the dispensed doses have been blended, aproduct is obtained that has the desired properties.

Each of the cartridges 30 can be introduced into the housing of thedispenser 11 from the rear, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the example inquestion, the dispenser 11 receives three cartridges 30, but theinvention also extends to instances in which the number of cartridges 30is different.

A cartridge 30 has been shown separately in FIG. 5. This cartridge has abody 31 in which a piston 32 can move along the longitudinal axis X ofthe cartridge so as to reduce the volume of a reservoir 33 that issituated under the piston 32 and contains the corresponding baseproduct. The volume of the reservoir is preferably between 2 and 5 mL,being for example in the region of 3 mL.

The piston 32 is driven along the axis X by an externally threadedhollow rod 34 that engages with a corresponding screw thread passingthrough the piston 32.

The rod 34 defines a passage via which the product contained in thereservoir 33 can circulate when the piston 32 moves in the body 31 inthe direction of a reduction in volume of the reservoir 33.

The rod 34 is rotated about the axis X by a head 36 which can turnrelative to the body 31, and communicates with a nozzle 37. Eachcartridge 30 is mounted in the dispenser 11 with a support piece 40which has been shown separately in FIG. 8 and comprises an axially slitclamping sleeve 41 along which a locking ring 43, visible in FIG. 4, canslide.

When a cartridge 30 is fitted, the support piece 40 is engaged over it,on the opposite side to the nozzle 37, and the locking ring 43 is movedalong the sleeve 41 to clamp the support piece 40 on the body 31. Thesupport piece 40 allows the cartridge 30 to be immobilized in thehousing of the dispenser 11.

The head 36 of the cartridge 30, which has the nozzle 37, is capped by adrive piece 50, shown separately in FIG. 7, which grips the head 36 soas to be able to rotate about the axis X therewith.

When the drive piece 50 is rotated about the axis X, its rotation istransmitted to the head 36, which can turn relative to the body 31 anddrive the rod 34 in rotation therewith.

The friction force of the piston 30 against the inner surface of thebody 31 is enough to prevent the piston 32 from turning relative to thebody 31, such that the relative rotation of the rod 34 and of the piston32 causes the latter to move along the axis X. This movement isaccompanied by a reduction in the volume of the reservoir 33 and by baseproduct contained in the cartridge 30 rising up through the rod 34 andthen into the nozzle 37.

The drive piece 50 has an internal passage 52 which is fed by the nozzle37 and which opens to the outside via a dispensing orifice 53. Thispassage 52 is formed by an end piece 36. The drive piece 50 has amounting skirt 54 which axially covers the head 36 of the cartridge 30.This mounting skirt 54 is connected to the end piece 56 via a transversewall 55.

The end piece 56 has reliefs 57 allowing it to be coupled for rotationto a toothed wheel 60, visible notably in FIG. 9, belonging to a drivemechanism of the housing of the dispenser 11.

In the example in question, the reliefs 57 are in the form of twodiametrically opposed studs that project from the end piece 56 at thebase thereof and engage in corresponding cutouts in the toothed wheel60.

The end piece 56 has a narrowed portion which comprises a grooveaccommodating an O-ring seal 58. The narrowed portion is connected tothe rest of the end piece via a shoulder 59.

The head 36 of the cartridge 30 may bear an O-ring seal which ensuressealed coupling between the nozzle 37 and the drive piece 50.

The drive mechanism comprises electric motors 70 equipped with reductiongears 71, visible notably in FIG. 10. The output shaft of thesereduction gears is coupled to a driving wheel 72 which meshes with thetoothed wheel 60.

In the example in question, the longitudinal axes X of each of thecartridges are arranged at 120° to one another about the longitudinalaxis Y of the housing of the dispenser 11.

The motors 70 are disposed between the cartridges 30, the axes ofrotation of the motors likewise being arranged at 120° to one anotherabout the axis Y of the dispenser 11. This then makes for a compactdesign of the dispenser 11.

The geared motor units advantageously have a torque in excess of 70nN·m. For example, use is made of a Maxon 118392 motor combined with aMaxon 218418 planetary reduction gear set. Such a motor has a diameterof 10 mm, a power of 1.5 W, a nominal voltage of 3 V, an idling speed of1300 rev/min and a maximum torque of 1.5 mNm. The reduction gear has adiameter of 10 mm, an absolute reduction ratio of 256/1 and a torque of0.2 Nm.

An electronic circuit 81, shown separately in FIG. 11, is present nearthe top end of the housing of the dispenser 1. This electronic circuit81 has a board 80 through which passages 83 for the output shafts of thereduction gears 71 pass, and openings 82 for the narrowed parts 55 ofthe driving end pieces 56.

Sleeves 82 a may be fixed to the board 80 to act as barriers against anyleaks of product toward the board 80. The end pieces 56 pass through thesleeves 82 a, preferably with a small clearance.

The board 80 bears the abovementioned push-button 12 and supports acertain number of output pins 86 used for powering the motors 70.

The electronic circuit 81 comprises a microcontroller or the like sothat the various motors 70 can be operated with a view to dispensing thedesired quantity of each of the base products. The resolution of thedelivery of the base products is for example between 0.001 and 0.003 mL,being, for example, in the region of 0.0025 mL.

The housing of the dispenser 11 also houses a battery, the cells 89 ofwhich are advantageously set out as can be seen in FIG. 4, each in thecontinuation of a motor 70.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 30, the dispenser 11 is operated viaa computer system 100 such as a portable terminal, for example asmartphone, a tablet, for example of the “iPad” make, or a laptopcomputer.

The operating information of the dispenser 11 is transmitted preferablywirelessly by the terminal 100, for example by a Bluetooth link.

In one particular example, the electronic board 81 allows control overthe following:

-   -   calculation of the volume of each product to be delivered        depending on the volumetric fraction instruction for each        product, the mode of operation (continuous, dose or purge), the        value of the flow rate or of the volume,    -   measurement of the currents powering the motors 70,    -   Bluetooth communication with the computer system 100,    -   management of the button 12 for the delivery of products,    -   management of the on/off switch,    -   management of the display of the LED(s),    -   charging of the battery.

The board 80 has for example the following components:

-   -   a Texas Instruments CC2541 microcontroller,    -   a blue CMS LED to provide the user with status information,    -   a thermal cutout fuse,    -   a 32 MHz quartz oscillator,    -   an on/off switch.

The Texas Instruments CC2541 microcontroller incorporates a programmableflash memory with 256 kB of RAM and numerous functionalities. Thismicrocontroller may be programmed in C, in the IAR Embedded Workbenchenvironment.

The outlet orifices 53 of the cartridges 30 open out substantially atthe top end of the housing of the dispenser 11, as may be seen notablyin FIG. 13. The upper face 14 of the housing of the dispenser 11 definesa mounting surface for mounting an outlet interface which channels theproducts coming from the cartridges toward a pickup or dispensing area.

In the example in FIG. 1, this outlet interface 110 is in the form of anadded component that has been shown separately in FIG. 14 and which hasat its periphery, as illustrated, passages 111 for screws used forfixing it to the housing of the dispenser 11.

In this example, the outlet interface 110 defines a cup 115 into thebottom of which the supply orifices 116 open, each orifice being incommunication with a respective outlet orifice 53 via an internal ductat the outlet interface 110.

Thus, in the example in question, the base products contained in thecartridges 30 can be dispensed into the cup 115 without mixing with eachother.

When using the dispenser 11, the user can fill the cup 115 withpredefined proportions of each of the base products, as illustrated inFIG. 3, then pick up the product present in the cup 115 with a view toapplying it. This pickup may be performed for example using a finger, asillustrated, or using any suitable cosmetic applicator. The cup 115 ispreferably fairly shallow, making it easier to clean, and has a diameterlarge enough not to hamper access to the product. The depth p of the cup115 is thus preferably between 1 and 5 mm and its diameter d or that ofthe circle circumscribing it when the contour of the crucible is notcircular, is preferably between 20 and 50 mm. Preferably, 4>=d/p<=50.

The supply orifices 116 preferably have a diameter smaller than 3 mm,for example in the region of 1 mm.

The outlet interface 110 may receive a lid 118 for closing the cup 115,to prevent the product from drying out or being exposed to dirt when notin use. This lid 118 is preferably made of a transparent plastic and maybe fixed to the upstand of the cup 115, or more generally to anysuitable point of the outlet interface 110, by friction, screwing orclip-fastening.

The maximum capacity of the cup 115 is preferably between 0.02 and 0.25ml.

Preferably, the volume defined by the volume of the internal passages ofthe outlet interface 110 between the inlet thereto from the supplyorifices 53 to the supply orifices 116 is less than or equal to 0.4 ml.

The housing of the dispenser 11, in the configuration thereofillustrated in FIG. 13, i.e. without the outlet interface 110 describedabove, has the advantage that it can be coupled to various forms ofother outlet interfaces, depending on the making-up that is to beperformed and/or on the area to be treated.

Thus, FIG. 15 shows a variant outlet interface 110 having a dispensingend piece 150 oriented generally along an axis Z which extends obliquelywith respect to the longitudinal axis Y of the dispenser 11. Threeinternal passages communicate respectively with the outlet orifices 53of the various cartridges 30 and open onto the end of the end piece 150.The outlet interface 110 can be fitted at one end of the housing of thedispenser 11, as illustrated in FIG. 15A.

In the variant in FIG. 16, the outlet interface 110 has three nozzles160 which communicate respectively with the outlet orifices 53. Thesenozzles 160 are grouped together at the center of the outlet interface110, thereby allowing an end piece 170, for example, for applyingproduct to the eyelashes, as illustrated in FIG. 25, a porous end piece180 for application to the lips, as illustrated in FIG. 27, or a flockedend piece 190 such as a felt tip, as illustrated in FIG. 28, to bemounted on them.

In the case of the end piece 170 in FIG. 25, this has, for example, asillustrated, transverse striations 171 between which the product supplyorifices open out. The mixing of the various base products may takeplace within the end piece 170, by virtue of an in-built static blender,for example.

The end piece 180 has for example a part made of open-cell foam, in theshape of the lips. The base products may be mixed within an internalduct of the end piece 180.

The end piece 190 may have a porous application member 191, at the endof a stem 192, which is connected to a base 193 used for mounting on therest of the outlet interface in FIG. 16.

FIG. 16A schematically illustrates the possibility of having, as outletinterface 110, a cup 115 with passages 115 a for outlet ducts 30 a ofthe cartridges, even when these ducts are used for rotating the threadedrods for moving the pistons. The length of the ducts 30 a is such thatthey open into the bottom 115 b of the cup or near to the bottomthereof, without protruding into it.

Preferably, the internal section of the ducts 30 a is small, in order tominimize the dead volume.

In the example in FIGS. 22 to 24, the outlet interface 110 has an endpiece 200 which is oriented generally obliquely with respect to thelongitudinal axis Y of the dispenser. This end piece 200 has internalpassages 210 running through it, these communicating respectively withthe outlet orifices 53 for the base products coming from the cartridges30.

The outlet interface 110 has a mounting part 215 which allows anairbrush 220 to be fixed to the outlet interface 110, as illustrated inFIG. 24.

The end piece 200 is fixed in place of the usual reservoir of theairbrush and the passages 210 open into the spray nozzle of the airbrushwhere they are subjected to the depression created by the speed of thestream of entrainment air.

A clip is formed by two uprights 216 to receive the body of the stylusof the airbrush 220 and hold it in place by clip-fastening.

Preferably, the orientation of the end piece 200 is such that it allowsthe spray axis to be oriented substantially perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis of the housing of the dispenser 11. This housing canthen be used as a handle for manipulating the airbrush.

The outlet orifices 210 are advantageously very close together, beingseparated by fine internal partitions of the end piece 200.

Preferably, the cross section of each of the outlet orifices is lessthan or equal to 3 mm² over a length of at least 5 mm.

The housing of the dispenser 11 may also be equipped in its upper partwith a support that is movable with respect to the housing, for examplein the form of a turret 250, as illustrated in FIG. 29.

This turret 250 turns for example about an axis of rotation thatcoincides with the longitudinal axis Y of the dispenser.

The turret 250 may have several spaces 255 that are each able toaccommodate the products delivered by the dispenser 11 in acorresponding filling position. In order to fill the various spaces insuccession, the turret 250 is made to rotate, for example by aquarter-turn each time. The presence of several spaces 255 may allowproducts of different formulations, made from different base products,to be dispensed for example so as to vary the shade of the productspresent in the various spaces 255.

FIG. 29C illustrates a support having spaces disposed thereonsubstantially in the manner of the different areas of a face; each spacemay contain a mixture, the color of which is suited to the correspondingpart of the face. Thus it is easy for the user to know where to applythe mixture picked up from a given space.

The dispenser 11 can be used to deliver a mixture, the formulation ofwhich changes over time, and to collect the mixture in a container thatis movable with respect to the dispenser, such that the mixture isdeposited in a location of the container that varies over time, in orderto achieve a graduated effect.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the dispensing systemhas an outlet interface 110 having a part that is fixed relative to thedispenser and a moving part 252 that has a space 253 for receiving themixture.

For example, the dispenser 11 is arranged in this case with the outletorifices of the cartridges downward and is equipped with a blender suchthat the mixture falls into the space 253 under its own weight. A motormay move the moving part of the outlet interface relative to thedispenser, in a manner that is synchronized with the variation incharacteristics of the mixture, such that a graduated effect is obtainedall along the space 253, as illustrated in FIG. 29B.

The dispensing system may have a stand 254 which keeps the dispenserhead down.

The outlet interface 110, notably when it comprises a cup, may have astatic blender which mixes the base products.

FIGS. 17 to 21 show an outlet interface 110 having such a staticblender.

This outlet interface 110 may have an exterior body 260 which is fixedto the housing of the dispenser 11 and has an exterior tubular upright270.

The body 260 has passages 261 for admitting the various base products.These passages 261 open into a central chamber 262 delimited by aninterior tubular upright 263.

This upright 263 has an opening 264 passing through it, which opens intoan annular space 265 between the interior upright 263 and the exteriorupright 270.

A static blender core 280, shown separately in FIG. 20, is disposedinside this space 265.

The central chamber 262 may communicate with a peripheral chambercomprising a series of partitions which are formed by the core of theblender and which act as deflectors for the mixture and create sheartherein.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition 284defining perforations 285, one of which is visible in FIG. 21, throughwhich the mixture passes as it circulates through the peripheralchamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed at the top bya wall 286 which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall 287 of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape andof a height that decreases toward the outlet. The latter may open outahead of a connecting ramp 288 between the end wall 287 of theperipheral chamber and the top wall 286 of the blender, this connectingramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending the helix formed bythe end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber has the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions 281 which force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The body 260 radially closes the peripheral chamber on the outside.

The outer body 260 of the blender and the core 280 of the blender mayeach be produced as a single piece by injection molding.

The product reaches the core 280 of the static blender via the passage264, then circulates between the uprights 263 and 270 around practicallya full circumference until it reaches the outlet 282.

The numerous chicanes imposed by the partitions 281 cause intimatemixing of the components introduced into the outlet interface 110. Themixture obtained can be picked up by the user from the space 283, abovethe static blender.

As indicated above, the dispensing system 10 according to the inventionpreferably has a man-machine interface that allows the user to easilyand intuitively operate the dispenser 11. This interface may form partof a computer system 100 which communicates with the dispenser 11.

FIGS. 31 to 37 show various examples of touch-sensitive interfaces thatmay allow the user to select the color of the mixture resulting from themetered dispensing of the various base products.

This interface may have, as illustrated in FIG. 31, a color selectionarea, for example in the form of a triangle, the vertices of whichcorrespond to the colors of each of the base products contained in thecartridges.

The user can move a cursor 300, for example in the form of a ball,relative to the vertices A, B and C of the triangle.

The closer he brings the cursor 300 to one of the vertices, the largerthe fraction of the corresponding base product relative to the totalquantity of the various products dispensed.

The fraction of each product relative to the total quantity may beindicated at 301 by a numerical value on the interface.

The interface may allow the user to increment or decrease the quantityof each of the products, for example by operating control buttons 302,which allow precise adjustment of the quantity of each of the baseproducts.

The surface of the triangle 310 may have a color that varies locally soas to be indicative at each point of the color of the mixture thatresults from the weighting of the various base products in theproportions corresponding to the relative coordinates at this point.

The interface may have a button 305 providing access to a specific menufor adjusting the volume of product dispensed for purging the dispenser.

The interface may also advantageously allow the flow rate of product tobe adjusted using buttons 304 and 306 returning to a specific menu foradjusting the flow rate.

In the example in question, the interface affords the choice between acontinuous dispensing mode, using the button 304, in which the productsare dispensed for as long as the user is pressing the control button 12.

The corresponding dose can be transmitted to the interface anddisplayed.

The button 306 allows selection of a dose mode of operation, duringwhich even a brief press of the button 12 triggers the dispensing of apredefined dose.

In order to vary the flow rate, the dispenser acts, for example, on theoperating duty cycle of the motors.

The interface may be designed to allow the user to program or memorizethe settings he or she prefers, using a menu 307 providing access tofavorites.

The touch-sensitive interface illustrated in FIG. 32 shows on the screenthree colored areas 400, each one corresponding to the color of one ofthe base products contained in the dispenser 10, and a central area 410which shows the color of the resulting mixture.

The relative quantity of each of the base products can be adjusted usingcursors 415 which move for example along lines joining each of the areas400 to the central area 410.

During use of the interface, the latter may memorize a given setting andcause a button 420 of the color of the mixture to appear on the screen.The user can then, simply by pressing this button 420, dispense amixture of the corresponding color.

In the example in FIG. 34, the interface displays, in an area 500, agiven shade and offers the user, by virtue of control buttons 510 thatare each in the color of the corresponding base product, the opportunityto increase or decrease the proportion of this base product in the finalmixture. The color of the area 500 is recalculated depending on theactions on the control buttons 510.

In the variant in FIG. 35, the interface shows a color chart havingseveral areas 530, each one corresponding to a particular proportion ofthe various base products.

The user may select one of these areas, for example by pressing it withhis or her finger.

The interface may be designed to display the selected color to a largerscale in an area 535. The programming of the dispenser 11 to dispensethis color is triggered for example by pressing the area.

In the example in FIG. 36, the user may move a cursor 555 over acontinuous color chart 550, causing the selected color to be displayedin an area 558.

The user can then, for example by pressing the area 556, trigger thesending to the dispenser 11 of the necessary instructions for thedispenser to dispense a product in the selected color.

It is apparent from FIG. 37 that the interface can memorize the variousshades selected and then display them on the screen so as to allow theuser, by pressing corresponding buttons 560, very easily to again selecta shade that has already been chosen.

FIG. 38 shows an example of a user interface 1000 of a dispensing systemcomprising a dispenser, preferably as described above, and a computersystem 100 to which the interface belongs.

The computer system comprises here, for example, a device such as alaptop computer, a tablet or a smartphone, that operates autonomously oris connected to a remote server.

In the example in question, the interface 1000 is defined by the touchscreen of such a device. In a variant that has not been illustrated, thedispenser incorporates a touch screen or any other type of man-machineinterface, and can be used without connection to another device.

The device runs an application, for example which has been downloadedbeforehand and which displays on the screen a face 1035 and a series ofbuttons allowing the user to input information.

The face may comprise several areas Z1 to Z6 that can be selected bytouch, for example the forehead, the nose, the cheeks, the eyelids, thechin, and the lips.

The buttons present on the screen may make it possible for example toinput the name of the makeup or of the user, to display the selectedarea, to choose the color, and to inform the computer system as towhether or not the result of the test carried out is acceptable, oreven, as illustrated, to provide information regarding the assessment ofthe result relative to a test carried out previously, namely, forexample, better or “not as good”. The screen may also display a buttonallowing the choice of a color and an area to be memorized after a testhas been carried out with this color on the area in question.

The choice of color is made for example with a color scale similar tothe one described with reference to FIG. 36.

The computer system is designed to memorize the data in the form of alook-up table for example, so as to associate an area of the face withthe parameters that allow the mixture dispensed during the test to bereproduced. These parameters include, for example, the relative contentsof each of the base products of the dispenser in the mixture, thequantity Q dispensed, and additional data such as, for example, the nameof the area, the date the mixture was dispensed and/or any other mixtureidentifier, identifiers of the base products, the period of the year,notably the season, the age of the user, his or her sex, his or hergiven or family name, the name of an event associated with the makeup,for example a birthday, amongst other data, and the quantity of productsuitable for the area. The ancillary data may allow the user toreproduce more easily a makeup look considered suitable for a time ofyear or recalling a life event, or to give a rejuvenating effect.

These data may be memorized in the computer system 100, for example inthe abovementioned device and/or on a remote server with which thedevice is in communication, or alternatively in an electronic memoryincorporated into the dispenser 11.

Thus, according to the invention, the user may make the dispenserdeliver a first colored substance, and apply it to a first area of theface, then judge whether or not it is suitable. If the result issatisfactory, the user may record it, indexing it to the area; if theresult is unsatisfactory, the user may command a new color in order torepeat the above operations.

The computer system can be used in this context in various ways.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 40, in a step 1010, the user hasselected a color to test, using for example the color scale 1011displayed on the screen, by moving the adjusting button 1012.

Next, the choice of color is transmitted to the dispenser 11, in step1015.

For example, the device transmits the quantities of each of the baseproducts to be dispensed and the electronic circuit 81 takes charge ofoperating the motors accordingly.

In step 1016, the user presses the control button 12 of the dispenser11, this causing, for example, a dose of the mixture, in the colorselected by the user, to be dispensed.

The mixture is, for example, dispensed into the cup 115 then picked upand applied by the user to the cheeks or any other area instructed onthe interface, in step 1020.

In variants, the product is applied using an airbrush or by any othermeans as described above.

The user then, in step 1022, informs the computer system of the resultusing the buttons 1021.

If the user indicates that the result is satisfactory, the systemsuggests for example that he/she validate the parameters of the testusing a button so as to memorize these parameters in step 1031.

If the user does not consider the result to be satisfactory and makesthis known using the button 1032, the result can nevertheless beautomatically saved in step 1034.

Thus, each area can be indexed not only with the suitable color(s), butalso with the color(s) that is/are not at all suited to this area.

The user can then perform a further test on the same area by returningto step 1010.

If the user is satisfied with the result, he or she may also wish tocarry out a further test, for example on a different area of the face.

If appropriate, if the user is not satisfied, the interface may suggestthat the user indicate whether the result is considered better than ornot as good as the previous test, using corresponding buttons 1040 and1041.

In that case, the computer system may be designed to determine whether,in light of the information input by the user, a proposal can beautomatically made as to what color to test next.

If appropriate, a questionnaire may be displayed to assist the computersystem in proposing a color in light of the tests carried out and theway in which the user or a professional assisting the user has assessedthese tests.

For example, if the color is considered “unsuitable”, the system mayreceive from the user additional information, for example “too light”,which will assist the system in proposing a new color better suited tothe user's expectations.

It may be advantageous for the computer system to be able to receiveinformation comparing the result against the previous tests, for example“it's better” or “it's not as good” and, from there, for the system tobe capable of deducing what new color to propose.

Another option is for the computer system to be able to receivecomparison information regarding a comparison against a target, forexample “it's almost ideal” and, from there, for the system to becapable of automatically adjusting its color modifications.

In this particular instance, if it receives the information that thedesired result has almost been achieved, the system can adopt smalllevels of color change and revise the colorimetric scale of adjustmentaccordingly.

If the dispensing system itself proposes the colored mixtures to betested, these may be based on preprogrammed test scenarios and thesystem may alter how the scenario is followed through according to thesuccesses or failures of the assessment. Thus, for example if, from thethird application of product, it receives information that the color isalmost ideal for the user, the dispensing system may exit the programand thereafter allow itself to be guided by instructions from theoperator.

In general, the user may be assisted by an expert system in the choiceof colors to test.

This expert system is, for example, a program run on the device withwhich the dispenser communicates or on the dispenser itself, and whichis based on the answers to a questionnaire and/or on measurements, forexample of the color of the skin, taken by a specific sensor or by acamera. The user can thus get assistance from an instrumentedevaluation, for example a color sensor. The expert system can even beimplemented on a remote server with which the device or the dispenserexchanges information. The operator may even send an image of his or herface to a specialist, who can preprogram the starting color choice. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the user presents the computer system witha photo of his or her face, and the computer system is designed toanalyze this and create a program defining the areas to be tested andthe first products to be delivered, both in terms of color and in termsof quantity. For example, the computer system may be designed toautomatically select the colors of makeup to propose to the user bycapturing a photograph in step 1070, as illustrated in FIG. 42. Forexample, the device which communicates with the dispenser 11 is equippedwith a camera, and the user takes a photograph of his or her face. Theimage is then analyzed in step 1071, and colors are proposed for eacharea of the face in step 1072, for example in accordance with predefinedcolor combination rules.

The dispensing system may be oriented by the user to decide on the colorand also on the quantity of product to be delivered. For example, theuser may indicate “nose” or “blemish” and the dispensing system isdesigned to adapt the dose dispensed according to a memorized map ofdoses to be dispensed depending on the areas to be treated.

The computer system may guide the user in the choice of colors in themixture to be tested, so as to limit the number of tests needed untilthe user obtains a result that pleases him or her.

It is thus possible, as illustrated in FIG. 41, that after a mixturedispensed by the dispenser has been applied to a given area of the facein step 1060, the computer system will ask the user whether or not theresult is satisfactory and will, of its own accord, if the result isconsidered to be unsatisfactory, make a change 1061 to the dispenserparameters in order to modify the mixture dispensed.

The user then only has to perform a new test with the modified mixture.

When a mixture is indicated as being satisfactory, the computer systemcan memorize the corresponding parameters so as to allow the mixture tobe recreated at a later date.

The system can then begin the above steps afresh for a new applicationarea.

During the successive tests, the operator does not need to treat theentire face. He or she may for example choose between 3 and 8, forexample 5, small areas. The dispensing system is then advantageouslydesigned to interpolate and/or extrapolate the data regarding the colorsconsidered to be suitable, so as to calculate the colors that ought tobe considered suitable for areas for which the exercise has not beenconducted.

At the end of the learning stage, the system may generate a display ofthe suitable colors on the various areas, tested or calculated.

The dispensing system may be designed to indicate whether certain colorsappear to be incorrect, doing so on the strength of a comparison againststandard maps it has in memory. Thus, it may propose that the userrepeat all or some of the mapping exercise.

Once the computer system has completed its learning, i.e. once thecolors of mixtures have been identified as being agreeable to the userfor making-up certain areas, the user wishing to apply makeup only hasto call up the area that is to be made up, in step 1080 of FIG. 43, andthe system will be able to automatically propose a suitable mixturecolor to the user in step 1081.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 44, the user selects a color in step1090 and the computer system proposes, in step 1091, an area in which toapply a mixture of this color, on the basis of information previouslycollected on the basis of the tests performed.

The area proposed is, for example, the area in which an identical orvery similar color has already been applied and the result consideredacceptable by the user.

FIG. 46 illustrates an example of an implementation of the invention inwhich, having carried out tests on various zones in step 2010, the userinforms the system of the mixture(s) he or she considers to afford thebest result, this allowing the system to know the correspondingparameters in step 2012. Next, in step 2014, the system may propose tothe user references of commercial products that have the same propertiesor very similar properties.

In one variant, the system sends the parameters to a remotemanufacturing center so that a composition that has the same formulationor the same properties as that of the mixture that the user has testedand found to be satisfactory can be produced.

FIG. 45 illustrates the possibility of using the dispenser to dispenseseveral doses 2020 a to 2020 d of different mixtures, next to oneanother on a support 2021, so as to allow these to be applied toadjacent distinct regions of the same area.

The user can, in a single hit, apply a series of colors in order rapidlyto home in on the appropriate color. The colored substances present onthe support 2021 may have been chosen by the operator him- or herself orproposed by the dispensing system.

The support 2021 is, for example, movable with respect to the housing ofthe dispenser and is moved sequentially to deposit the correspondingmixtures in the various areas 2020 a to 2020 d, being for examplesimilar to the supports described with reference to FIG. 29 or 29A. Theuser can thus easily compare the results between the various regions andinform the system of which mixture produces the best effect.

FIG. 47 illustrates a system that assists the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings.

This system makes it possible to establish a video link, for exampleover the Internet, between a camera 2060 at a first site 2061 and asecond site 2062.

The camera 2060 is, for example, built into a tablet or a smartphonethat constitutes the computer system 100.

The second site 2062 is allowed to operate the dispenser 11 present atthe first site 2061 either directly or indirectly.

Thus, the person present at the first site can apply the mixturedispensed and send to the second site 2062 a corresponding image, and inreturn receive information relating to the makeup result.

The second site 2062 may have a display screen 2064 that allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the result of the makeup with themixture dispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has appliedthe makeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser 11 tomodify the color of the mixture and better suit it to the face of theperson present at the first site. The protocol for the exchange of databetween the two sites thus allows command instructions to be sent to thedispenser 11, either directly or via the computer system 100 present atthe first site. Thus, the person present at the second site controls themixture delivered by the dispenser 11. The first person may make herselfup under the gaze of the second. The second person sees the result ofthe test on the screen and can thus correct the mixture that this secondperson will control remotely until the ideal makeup is obtained.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link, suchthat the user present at the first site can see an image of the adviseron the screen of the computer system. This adviser can send the userpresent at the first site a tutorial if need be.

The memorizing of the setting parameters of the dispenser 11, once agiven mixture has been considered satisfactory, may be commanded fromthe second site.

Advantageously, the dispensing system 10 is designed to be able tomodify all the colors esthetically for each area if the person wishes tochange the color of his or her face. The dispensing system may bedesigned in such a way that the user only has to modify a single colorin one area for the system to modify all the others. To this end, thedispensing system can use translations, for example by recording thecolor saturation or shifting the shade.

The dispensing system may be designed to receive the map of somebodyelse, real or virtual. It may also combine the map of the person withthe map of another, in order to sublimate the makeup without losing theinherent characteristics.

The interface may be used to define makeup programs in which the orderof the areas to make up or the order of the colors to propose isdefined.

EXAMPLES

A dispenser 11 like that illustrated in FIG. 3 is created. The dispenseris designed to communicate with a tablet 100 such as an iPad. Thiscomputer system runs an application known as “μMix” developed in thespecific Apple environment (XCode 4 and iOS simulator) in the ObjectiveC language.

It uses Foundation, UIKit and CoreGraphics basic frameworks which supplythe tools for manipulating the data structures, computation tools andfunctionalities associated with the user graphics interface.

The application also uses the CoreBluetooth framework providing accessto the Bluetooth 4 Low Energy peripherals, with the following maintasks:

-   -   looking for Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy peripherals,    -   connection/disconnection and management of connection        parameters,    -   communication in read and/or write mode based on the GATT        (Generic Attribute Profile) architecture.

The application proposes the following functionalities:

-   -   definition of the fractions of base products,    -   choice of mode of operation when pressing the control button 12,        namely continuous, purge or dose,    -   display of a triangle of volumetric fraction as illustrated in        FIG. 30 with management of the volumetric fraction by tactile        touch on the triangle or using the +/− buttons associated with        each product,    -   Bluetooth connection/disconnection and real-time transfer of        instructions to the dispenser,    -   settings of flow rates in continuous mode, and of quantities in        dose mode,    -   calculation, display and transfer to the dispenser of the        volumetric fractions of products in real time, depending on the        instruction, with the sum of the fractions always equal to 100%,    -   collection and display of the torques of the three motors in        real time, and    -   saving of the key parameters in a configuration file.

The continuous mode is a dispensing mode in which the mixture of thethree base products is dispensed for as long as the user presses thedispensing button 12. The product is dispensed at a flow rate, anestimate of which is displayed above the “Continuous” button 304. Thechoice of flow rate is made in a “Settings” menu.

The “dose” mode is a mode of dispensing the mixture in doses, in whichthe dose is delivered after the user presses the dispensing button 12.One press is enough and the user can then release the button. Theoverall dose of product dispensed is that indicated above the “Dose”button 306, for example 0.1 ml. This volume can be altered in the“Settings” menu.

The “purge” mode is a dispensing mode in which a dose of mixture withequal volumetric fractions (33%) is delivered as soon as the user haspressed the dispensing button 12, as in the “dose” mode. One press isenough and the user can then release the button. When the dose has beendispensed in full, the button may be released. If the button is releasedbefore the end, dispensing stops, even if the specified volume has notbeen achieved. The overall dose of product dispensed is that indicatedabove a “Purge” button 305, for example 3 ml. This volume can be alteredin the Settings menu.

The user determines the desired color with the application which is runon the tablet and which calculates the fractions of the variousproducts. The tablet communicates this value to the dispenser by aBluetooth connection.

The electronics built into the dispenser 11 collects the information andautomatically adjusts the flow rates of the three cartridges so as toobtain a mixture of the desired color.

When the user wishes to use the product, he or she presses the button 12of the dispenser in order to cause the product to be expelled. He or shepresses for as long as he or she wants product, in “continuous” mode. In“dose” mode, the user presses the button 12 once and the predefined doseis delivered.

Dispensing may be performed continuously, namely with the motorsoperating continuously, the entire volume being dispensed in one hit, oriteratively, the motors then operating in a pulsed fashion; in thatcase, the time interval between two pulses makes it possible to vary theflow rate. Small volumes are delivered one after another in severalstages.

The pulses may be separated for example by intervals of 50 ms, 100 ms or200 ms. The duration of a pulse during which the motor is turning willbe from 50 to 150 ms, for example.

The main page of the “μMix” application comprises in this example thefollowing elements, as can be seen notably in FIG. 31:

-   -   status bar at the top of the screen: indicates the status of the        Bluetooth connection or μMix if there is no Bluetooth        connection;    -   thumbnails at the bottom of the screen: for selecting the active        page: main page, Settings, Bluetooth, Products and Favorites;    -   Continuous button 304 for selecting the mode in which products        are dispensed continuously;    -   Purge button 305 for selecting the Purge mode;    -   Dose button 306 for selecting the mode in which dispensing is in        doses with the volume of the dose associated with the Dose        button;    -   a blue ball 300 that the user can move around inside the        volumetric triangle either by dragging it or using a double tap;    -   “−” buttons 302 for each product A, B and C: reduces the        fraction of product selected when moving along the straight line        connecting the point to the vertex of the product selected;    -   “+” buttons 302 for each product A, B and C: increases the        fraction of product selected when moving along the straight line        connecting the point to the vertex of the product selected;    -   volumetric fraction of each product as a percentage: modifiable        by the user and updated in real time according to the        instruction from the + and − buttons 302 and the position of the        ball 300.

While the volumetric fractions are being modified by moving the ball orusing the + and − buttons, the values of the volumetric fractions of theproducts A, B and C are updated automatically. When the volumetricfractions are modified using the + and − buttons, the ball 300 is movedautomatically into the corresponding position in the triangle.

When the application run on the tablet is started up, it automaticallyconnects to the dispenser 11 if it is detected. When the dispenser isswitched off or the Bluetooth connection is broken, the tabletdisconnects. When the user moves the cursors that adjust the proportionsof the products A and B, the values are transmitted in real time to thedispenser 11.

The Settings page of the application contains the following elements:

-   -   status bar at the top of the screen: indicates the status of the        Bluetooth connection or μMix if there is no Bluetooth        connection;    -   thumbnails at the bottom of the screen: for selecting the active        page:

main page, Settings, Bluetooth, or Info;

-   -   “Volumes” part with a text field to be filled in by the user to        define the volume of the dose, in ml (2 ml for example), and a        field for the purge volume, in ml (3 ml for example). The        minimum doses in this example are 0.023 ml and the maximum doses        are 9.90 ml (3×3.3 ml);    -   “Flow rate” part with selection of the flow rate: fast (>>0.03        ml/s), medium (>>0.02 ml/s) or slow (>>0.01 ml/s);    -   “Dose” part with iterative choice of the mixture, for dispensing        a mixture of products with small volumes delivered one after        another in several stages;

In the contrary case, the total volume of each product is dispensed inone hit;

-   -   “Triangle image” part for selecting the image of the triangle        that will be displayed on the main page in order to be able to        display a triangle with the colors delivered by the dispenser        11. By using a “Choose image” button on the “Settings” page, an        album can be accessed.

The “Products” page of the application has, in the example in question,the following elements:

-   -   a choice of the value of each product in code step units from 0        to 1414.

Each unit corresponds to a delivered product volume of 2.33 μl, which isthe smallest quantity that the dispenser in this example can deliver;when this page is displayed, it is the values of products on this pagethat are transmitted in real time to the dispenser. As soon as the pageis no longer displayed, the values sent to the dispenser are those ofthe main page with the triangle;

-   -   display of the motor torques for A, B and C in real time        refreshed every 45 values.

The mode in which the products are delivered is the iterative or directdose mode, according to the option chosen on the Settings page.

The “Favorites” page allows configurations to be saved in a file. Itprovides access in the example in question to 10 files, namely“Configuration 1” to “Configuration 10” in addition to the default file.These files record for example the following parameters:

-   -   fractions of products A, B and C,    -   Purge volume,    -   Dose volume,    -   fast, medium or slow flow rate,    -   Dose, Purge or Continuous mode,    -   continuous or iterative dispensing.

Example 1 (First Aspect of the Invention)

Several base products are created with what is known as a high-densitypigment and a low-density pigment.

The base products “A”, “B” and “C” are intended for respectivecartridges. Certain base products have a high level of thickening (A1,B1, C1), others do not (A2, B2, C2).

Silica aerogel (DOW CORNING VM- Bismuth 2260 AEROGEL oxychloride BEADS)Jaguar HP Red40 (Emerald (Kolortec co) Density = 0.09 60 (SolvayPerformance ormulation 7.7 g/cm3 g/cm3 Novecare) material) Glycerolwater A1 5%  2% % qs 100% A2 5% 0.2% % qs 100% B1 0.5%  2% % qs 100% B20.5% 0.2% % qs 100% C1  2% 0.05% % qs 100% C2 0.2% 0.05% % qs 100%

The densities of the formulations are measured (at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r4 measuring bar at afrequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of the measuring bar)

-   -   A1: 2.6 Pa·s    -   A2: 0.55 Pa·s    -   B1:2.4 Pa·s    -   B2: 0.4 Pa·s    -   C1:2.6 Pa·s    -   C2: 0.6 Pa·s

Test 1 (According to the Invention)

The system was tested with:

-   -   A1,    -   B1,    -   C1

By virtue of the system for dispensing, a mixture with the followingvolumetric proportions in the final mixture A: 25%, B: 25%, C: 50% isdefined.

The system is used at t0 to deliver 200 mg of product. The mixture isthen spread.

The same operation is carried out for several days (20 days).

By comparing the results, it is apparent that they are constant.

Test 2 (not According to the Invention)

The system was tested with:

-   -   A2,    -   B2,    -   C1

As in the case of test 1, a mixture with the following volumetricproportions A: 25%, B: 25%, C: 50% is dispensed.

The same test as in test 1 is carried out.

By comparing the results, it is apparent that the colors obtained varyfrom one day to another.

Test 3

The system was tested with:

-   -   A1,    -   B2,    -   C1

As in the case of test 1, a mixture with the volumetric proportions A:25%, B: 25%, C: 50% is created.

The same test as in test 1 is carried out.

By comparing the results, it is apparent that the colors obtained varyfrom one day to another, but less than in test 2.

Test 4

The system was tested with:

-   -   A1,    -   B1,    -   C2

As in the case of test 1, a mixture A: 25%, B: 25%, C: 50% is created.

The same test as in test 1 is carried out.

By comparing the results, it is apparent that the colors obtained remainconstant. This configuration is preferred in the case of test 1 since itis easier to apply.

Example 2 (First Aspect of the Invention)

The same base products are created but the glycerol and some of thewater are replaced with ethanol in the formulation without denseparticles.

Silica aerogel (DOW CORNING VM- Bismuth 2260 AEROGEL oxychloride BEADS)Jaguar HP (Kolortec co) Density = 0.09 60 (Solvay Formulation 7.7 g/cm3g/cm3 Novecare) Ethanol Glycerol water A1 5% 2% 16% qs 100% B1 0.5% 2%16% qs 100% C1 1% 40% qs 100%

Test 1

The system was tested with:

-   -   A1,    -   B1,    -   C1

By virtue of the system, a mixture A: 40%, B: 40%, C: 20% is defined.

The system is used at t0 to deliver 200 mg of product. The mixture isthen spread.

The same operation is carried out for several days (20 days).

By comparing the results, it is apparent that they are constant.

In spite of the high rheology of the base products in compartments A andB, a mixture that is easy to apply is obtained.

B) System for Dispensing a Product, Comprising a Dispenser Receiving atLeast Two Cartridges that Each have a Reservoir Containing a BaseProduct, a First Base Product Comprising a Thickener, a Second BaseProduct Comprising an Agent for Modulating the Viscosity of theThickening Agent

The precision of the color obtained is a very important factor forobtaining a quality result. However, it is also necessary, in order toobtain the most attractive results, that the product have the bestpossible applicability.

This is particularly true in the case of concealing areas withimperfections, this requiring local application in order to avoid thespreading reflex.

Several other points of view should be considered.

Verticality/Horizontality: For example, in vertical areas, such as theforehead, there is a risk of the products running (compared withhorizontal areas such as the under-eye area).

Skin grain: The areas with an “open” skin grain (dilated pores, finelines) cause different application problems compared with smootherareas, notably in order to avoid “marking” of the defects.

Coverage: It is known that certain colored areas require significantthicknesses. It is thus necessary that applicability allows this. Idemwith the opposite meaning in the case of low coverage to leave the facewith a natural appearance, with the skin visible through the makeup.

Bilayer: In some cases, two products are made to react or interact inthe form of two layers (for example for visual effects). In these cases,it is important to respect the ratio of applied quantities of products.Here too, it is necessary that the quantity of each layer produced bewell controlled.

Finally, it is possible for the user to be disappointed with theapplicability of the products, finding it not very suitable for his orher particular case. Thus, it is advantageous for him or her to be ableto modify the applicability of the products generated with his or hersystem after certain tests.

This is all the more essential when the manufacturer bases theattractiveness of the system on the makeup results allowed thereby. Itis not readily conceivable that users will buy several systems to coverthe different scenarios or will use the system replacing thecompartments depending on these scenarios. The other possibility,consisting in providing a very large number of compartments, is not easyto implement, either.

According to a second of its aspects, the subject of the presentinvention is a system for dispensing a product, comprising a dispenserthat receives at least two cartridges that each have a reservoircontaining a base product, a first base product comprising a thickener,a second base product comprising an agent for modulating the viscosityof the thickening agent, the dispenser making it possible to deliver atleast these two base products in adjustable proportions.

According to this second aspect, the invention may have one or more ofthe following features:

-   -   First implementation: The first base product has a viscosity        greater than or equal to 2 Pa·s, and preferably greater than or        equal to 4 Pa·s, more preferably between 4 Pa·s and 10 Pa·s,        even more preferably between 5 Pa·s and 8 Pa·s, with a        pH-sensitive thickening active agent, and the second base        product contains an acid agent that modifies the viscosity of        the active agent of the first product upon contact between the        two products. The thickening active agent of the first product        is notably a gelling agent based on acrylate or methacrylate        polymer or copolymer, such as a Carbomer, used between 0.8 and        2.5% by mass relative to the mass of the first product, better        still between 1 and 2.3% by mass relative to the mass of the        first product, even better still between 1.5 and 2.2% by mass        relative to the mass of the first product, and the acidifying        agent is notably a mineral or organic acid such as citric acid        or lactic acid, used between 0.2 and 10% by mass relative to the        mass of the second product, better still between 2 and 10% by        mass relative to the mass of the second product, even better        still between 5 and 8% by mass relative to the mass of the        second product. The first product may contain other thickeners        (not pH-sensitive), for example polyose thickening agents. The        viscosity of the second product may be less than or greater than        or equal to the viscosity of the first product and be brought        about by a polyose gelling agent. Preferably, the viscosity of        the second product is between 1 and 3 Pa·s. The pH of the first        product is greater than or equal to 6, preferably greater than        or equal to 7, more preferably greater than or equal to 8. The        pH of the second product is less than or equal to 6, better        still less than or equal to 5, preferably between 2 and 5, more        preferably between 3 and 5. Preferably, the acidifying agent of        the second product is combined with a basifying agent such that        the pH of the second product is not less than 2. In this        combination, the basifying agent and the acidifying agent are        regulated with an alkaline/acid normality ratio less than or        equal to 1, preferably less than or equal to, such that the pH        of the second product is less than or equal to 7 and preferably        greater than or equal to 2. Preferably, the alkaline agent is        mineral, such as sodium hydroxide, and the acidifying agent is        organic, such as a carboxylic acid such as citric acid or lactic        acid.    -   Second implementation: The first base product has a viscosity        greater than or equal to 2 Pa·s, and preferably greater than or        equal to 4 Pa·s, more preferably between 4 Pa·s and 10 Pa·s,        even more preferably between 5 Pa·s and 8 Pa·s, and the second        base product has a viscosity of between 0.01 and 2 Pa·s, better        still between 0.05 and 1 Pa·s, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5        Pa·s. The first product and the second product contain notably a        gelling agent based on acrylate or methacrylate polymer or        copolymer, such as a Carbomer, or a polyose-based gelling agent,        with concentrations of gelling agent (all the gelling agents)        for the first of between 0.8 and 2.5% by mass relative to the        mass of the first product, better still between 1 and 2.3% by        mass relative to the mass of the first product, even better        still between 1.5 and 2.2% by mass relative to the mass of the        first product, and for the second product of between 0 and 2.5%        by mass relative to the mass of the second product, better still        between 0 and 2% by mass relative to the mass of the second        product, even better still between 0 and 1% by mass relative to        the mass of the second product, preferably between 0 and 0.5% by        mass relative to the mass of the second product. In one        particular case, the first and the second product contain a        pH-sensitive gelling active agent. In this case, the two base        products may contain this thickening agent in different or        similar concentrations. In the second case (similar        concentrations), the pH values may be different, such as greater        than or equal to 6, preferably greater than or equal to 7, more        preferably greater than or equal to 8 for the first product, and        such as less than 6, preferably less than 5 for the second base        product.    -   Third implementation: The first base product has a viscosity        less than or equal to 2 Pa·s, and better still less than or        equal to 1 Pa·s, and contains a pH-sensitive thickening active        agent, and the second base product contains an alkaline agent        that modifies the viscosity of the active agent of the first        product upon contact between the two products. The thickening        active agent of the first product is notably a thickening agent        based on acrylate or methacrylate polymer or copolymer, such as        a Carbomer, and the second product is a basifying agent, such as        a mineral or organic base such as an amine or aqueous ammonia.        The viscosity of the second product may be less than or greater        than or equal to the viscosity of the first product. Preferably,        the viscosity of the second product is between 1 and 3 Pa·s. The        concentration of thickening agent in the first product may vary        from 0.8 to 5% by mass relative to the mass of the first        product, better still between 1 and 2.3% by mass relative to the        mass of the first product, even better still between 1.5 and        2.2% by mass relative to the mass of the first product. The pH        of the first product is less than 6 and preferably less than 5.        The pH of the second product is greater than 6, better still        greater than 7, even better still greater than or equal to 8.        Preferably, the basifying agent of the second product is        combined with an acidifying agent such that the pH of the second        product is less than or equal to 10. In this combination, the        basifying agent and the acidifying agent are regulated with an        alkaline/acid normality ratio greater than or equal to 1, such        that the pH is greater than or equal to 7, preferably less than        or equal to 10. Preferably, the alkaline agent is organic, such        as an organic amine, and the alkaline agent is mineral, such as        hydrochloric acid.    -   the second base product may comprise a quantity of anionic        surfactants less than or equal to 5%. Such a quantity of anionic        surfactants makes it possible to confer additional        characteristics on the second product, such as a foaming effect,        a detergent effect or a makeup removal effect, without there        being any thickening effect in the second base product, the        thickening effect arising only upon mixing of the first and the        second base product. The anionic surfactant is chosen for        example from sodium laureth sulfate, oxyethylenated sodium        laureth sulfate, surfactants comprising sulfonic functions such        as sodium lauroyl sarcosinate.    -   the dispensing system may comprise a third cartridge with a        third base product,    -   the third base product may comprise a thickener, notably with a        different concentration than that of the first base product,    -   the thickener of the third base product is chosen from        saccharide compounds of the rubber type, such as gum arabic,        acacia gum, guar gum, gellan gum, karaya gum, carrageenan gum,        cellulose-based compounds such as CMC, HMC, HPMC, synthetic        polymers such as polyacrylic or polymethacrylic acids such as        carbomers (Carbopol), or polyurethanes, polyvinyl acetate,        polyvinyl alcohol, inverse or direct thick emulsions,        combinations of non-aqueous solvents with thickening agents for        oil, clays such as bentonite, attapulgite, organochelators,        proteins such as casein or collagen, shear-thinning or        thixotropic rheology agents, preferably chosen from synthetic        polymers such as polyacrylic or polymethacrylic acids partially        crosslinked for example by erythritol allyl ether, or sucrose        allyl ether or propylene allyl ether groups, such as carbomers        (Carbopol),    -   the thickener may be a Carbopol gel, preferably in a neutral or        alkaline medium, notably with a content of between 0.1 and 2.5%        by mass relative to the total mass of the third base product,        better still between 0.8% and 2.5% relative to the total mass of        the first base product, even better still between 1.5% and 2.3%        relative to the total mass of the first base product,    -   the cartridges may be received in a removable manner in the        dispenser,    -   each product may leave the cartridge through an outlet passage        of the cartridge, the outlet passage being defined by a        dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piece being        driven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a        drive mechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base        product contained in the cartridge,    -   the system may have a mechanism for homogenizing the first base        product, notably a vibrating mechanism.

This aspect of the invention also relates to a method for applying acosmetic, makeup and/or care, product to human keratin materials,comprising the setting of the dispenser depending on the area to betreated, and the dispensing of the product by base products being pickedup from the cartridges in the proportions corresponding to the settingof the dispenser.

Setting may be carried out so as to have the greatest viscosity,application being carried out on skin blemishes.

Setting may be carried out so as to have an intermediate viscositybetween the end-point viscosities that can be obtained, applicationbeing carried out on skin blemishes or in the under-eye area.

-   -   Thus, according to this second aspect of the invention, the        dispensing system comprises at least two compartments:        -   One compartment 1 comprises a thickening agent E        -   Another compartment 2 comprises a regulating agent R for the            thickening effect of the thickening agent.

The other compartments (3, 4, etc.) that may be present comprise otheragents for the makeup M or for skincare (pigments, biological activeagents, protective active agents, colorants, etc.).

-   -   E is typically a thickener that is modulable by a pH agent    -   R is typically a pH agent

Or:

-   -   E is a thickener    -   R is a diluent

Agents M can be placed in compartment 1 and compartment 2, with a degreeof logic.

According to this second aspect, the invention makes it possible totreat one or more areas of the face and to obtain mixtures that are veryprecise in terms of color faithfulness and suitable applicability forobtaining particularly effective effects. Hereinbelow, the term “area”is used to denote a defined part of the face, fairly small in surfacearea, covering between 1 cm2 and 100 cm2, better still ranging from 2cm2 to 50 cm2.

The dispensing system preferably has a dispenser as defined above. Thedispensing system may thus consist of a single device operatingautonomously, preferably able to be manipulated in one hand, or of adevice that operates in interaction with other components or devices. Itmay for example entail various outlet interfaces which are mounted onthe dispenser depending on the type of makeup to be created, as will bespecified below. It may also entail a computer system which exchangesinformation with the dispenser in order to operate the latter, thiscomputer system comprising, for example, a portable terminal such as asmartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a dedicatedterminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s. Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20and 100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thuspossible to easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensingsystem is therefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, forcovering an area of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to one aspect thereof, isa dispensing system comprising a dispenser having a housing, and atleast one cartridge received in the housing of the dispenser, thiscartridge having a body and a piston capable of moving in the body, thehousing comprising a motorized drive mechanism for moving the piston ofthe cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the shade, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the shade to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severalbase products of different colors.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is being dispensedwhile the other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment, the mixture is delivered into a cavity ofa container which may close hermetically or not, for example in the formof a cup, into which an applicator, particularly a stylus or a brush maybe slipped. Such a dispensing system is especially suited to liners,glosses and other formulations applied without direct contact with thehands. This container may be removable.

For example, it is used as a lip-color dispenser and has a dispensingsystem, for example using a screw. When not removable, the container maybe produced with the body of the dispenser. When it is removable, it mayconstitute one output interface among others that can be mounted on thedispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture A to a mixture B severaltimes in succession. In the case of application by spraying, amultilayer application can thus be achieved, with different formulationsfor two superposed adjacent coats. Another mode makes it possible forexample to offer several preprogrammed successive mixtures, the computersystem each time indicating to the user how these should be used, forexample by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the person isfully made up.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

Adjustment of Applicability

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, compartment 1contains a composition of viscosity R1 and compartment 2 contains acomposition intended to modify the viscosity R1 of the product incompartment 1 upon contact.

Scenario a: Compartment 2 may contain an agent that is capable, uponcontact with the product in compartment 1, to modify the viscosity ofthe product in the latter. By deciding on the ratios of products to bedelivered, it is thus possible to modify and adjust the final viscosityto its correct value.

Scenario b: Compartment 2 may contain a composition of viscosity R2,less than or greater than R1. In this case, upon contact, the resultantviscosity will be modified. By deciding on the ratios of products to bedelivered, it is thus possible to modify and adjust the final viscosityto its correct value.

Scenario c: In a particular and advantageous case, compartment 2 maycontain a composition of viscosity close (or equal) to R1, provided thatcontact modifies the viscosity of the product in compartment 1.

In order to implement all of these scenarios, it is possible to usevarious thickening agents E and regulating agents R.

The thickeners “E” are typically gelling compounds, for instance naturalingredients such as saccharides for instance gum arabics, acacia gum,guar gum, gellan gum, karaya gum, etc., synthetic polymers such aspolyacrylic or polymethacrylic acids such as carbomers (Carbopol),inverse or direct thick emulsions, or combinations of non-aqueoussolvents with thickening agents for oil.

In the case of saccharide compounds of the “rubber” type, they are usedat between 0.2% and 5% by mass relative to the mass of the base productcomprising them, better still between 0.8% and 2.5% by mass relative tothe mass of the base product comprising them, even better still between1.5% and 2.3% by mass relative to the mass of the base productcomprising them.

The gelling compounds that can be used may be natural or artificial,such as starches (E441), pectins (E440), agar (E406), alginic acid(E400), sodium alginate (E401), potassium alginate (E402), ammoniumalginate (E403), calcium alginate (E404), carrageenan (E407) oringredients originating from animals (gelatin such as E441).

For solvent-rich formulations, use may be made of an organogelator.These are typically organic liquids, a mineral oil or a vegetable oil,trapped in a three-dimensional network resulting from the supramolecularself-assembly of small organic molecules (also known as organogelators)forming microscopic or nanoscopic structures. They are used in an amountof 1 to 10% by mass relative to the mass of the base product comprisingthem, and may be for example derivatives of4-tert-butyl-1-arylcyclohexanols, polymeric derivatives such aspolyethylene glycols, polyesters, polyalkylenes, derivatives ofN-lauroyl-L-lysine ethyl ester, derivatives of peptides, small fattyacids.

The agents R are:

-   -   In particular for scenario a, solvents such as water, ethanol or        oil, pH agents, such as aqueous ammonia, amine or sodium        hydroxide, salts such as NaCl,    -   In particular for scenario b, thickening compounds. The        thickening compound may:        -   be different than the compound E,        -   or be the same at a different concentration,        -   or be the same at an identical concentration but under            conditions in which its thickening expression is different.

In the particular case of scenario c, the product in compartment 2contains a thickener in order to come close to the viscosity R1 and asecond agent that is able to modify the viscosity of the product incompartment 1.

Examples illustrating scenario a:

-   -   A 100% neutralized (aqueous ammonia) 1% Carbopol gel is placed        in compartment 1. A 4% acidifying agent (citric acid) is placed        in compartment 2.    -   A 10% neutralized (aqueous ammonia) 1% Carbopol gel is placed in        compartment 1. An alkaline agent (10% aqueous ammonia) is placed        in compartment 2.    -   An anionic surfactant solution (5% LES) is placed in        compartment 1. A 10% saline agent (NaCl) is placed in        compartment 2.

Examples illustrating scenario b:

-   -   A 100% neutralized (aqueous ammonia) 1% Carbopol gel is placed        in compartment 1. A diluted (0.2%) guar gum (jaguar HP 60) is        placed in compartment 2.

Example illustrating scenario c:

-   -   A 100% neutralized (aqueous ammonia) 1% Carbopol gel is placed        in compartment 1. A 50% neutralized 2% Carbopol gel is placed in        compartment 2.

Optimization

It is very advantageous to have as few compartments as possible.

Thus, if a color adjustment is desired, it would be necessary to providetwo compartments in addition to the two that are intended to control theviscosity.

If the system only comprises a single product containing denseparticles, it will have to comply with the rheological rules definedabove.

It is possible to place the active agents M in compartments 1 or 2 or 1and 2.

For example, the active agents M are placed in compartments 1 and 2 attwo different concentrations.

If the product in compartment 2 is considered to increase the viscosityin compartment 1, it is advantageous to place less active agent M incompartment 2 than in compartment 1. Specifically, by putting theproduct in compartment 2 into contact with the product in compartment 1,the concentration of active agent M is reduced in the mixture, but byincreasing the thickening of the mixture, the thickness of the layerproduced is increased, thereby realizing a compensation effect.

It is possible to place an active agent M1 in a compartment 1 and anactive agent M2 in compartment 2. For example, M1 is a coveringcomponent and M2 is an anti-acne active agent. Thus, the more the userdecides to put the product in compartment 2 into contact with theproduct in compartment 1, the more he will reduce the concentration ofactive agent M1 in the mixture and the more he will increase theconcentration of active agent M2 in the mixture. This configuration isespecially advantageous for treating acneic skin. In an embodiment richin product in compartment 1, the product is applied to the entire face.In an embodiment rich in product in compartment 2, the product is thickand applied well to the buttons: (when there is not necessarily a needfor a high concentration of covering active agent M1 or when there is aneed for a high concentration of anti-acne active agent M2).

It is possible to place the active agents M in a compartment 3. Thus, itis possible to regulate the concentration of active agents M and toregulate the viscosity and thus the applicability.

Use for Making Up One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, day after day, withonly the areas that need to be hidden being treated. To this end, smalldoses of makeup are delivered, and are applied specifically andsequentially to the corresponding areas. Each small dose is createdusing the mixture suited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the programming takes intoaccount the viscosity to be achieved in order to obtain optimum results.As an alternative, the dispensing system informs the person, whendelivering a mixture, of the area to which the person is to apply themixture. Thus, the dispensing system may follow an application programin which it delivers, in a given order, the various mixtures that are tobe applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the color, the area of the face and thequantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and wastageof product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoiding occlusioneffects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that have a highcovering capability and provide too much cover to be applied to thewhole of the face. Thus, it is possible to obtain makeup of natural oreven undetectable appearance.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

The dispensing system is suited to treating the areas that are to beconcealed, without having to conceal the entire face.

When the user is looking for the color to apply to an area of the face,it is advantageous to memorize the color best suited to each area, andthe dispensing system is thus advantageously designed to memorize thiscolor and the corresponding area. Thus, by using the memorizedinformation, on each use, the same mixture can be delivered for eacharea or, if several areas are being treated, the same series of mixturescan be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the colors application after application. Thus, theperson may make up her lips using different colors that she chooses on aday-by-day basis to suit her tastes. This approach is also suitable forthe eyelids or eyelashes, and for face makeup because the person mayfancy a change of foundation color. For example, on weekdays, the personapplies a pale colored foundation, with a more tanned foundation colorat the weekends, or may have eye makeup in one color one day and anothercolor another day.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change colorto suit her tastes according to the day, the time, what she is wearing,and the weather. Thus, a system to assist with decision making isadvantageously provided to guide the user in her choices of color.

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing the colors onthe same face and contribute toward a successful overall makeup look.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

The invention may make it possible to achieve a graduated effect, in thesame way as described above.

Continuous Use for Graduated Makeup

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product. In addition, the outletfor the base products or for the mixture is moved relative to acontainer or a support defining an application surface. In oneparticular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isdesigned to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves as a functionof the color C1 of one area to be treated and of the color C2 of anotherarea to be treated. For example, with the knowledge that the chinrequires a color C1 and that the cheek requires a color C2, thedispensing system may vary the formulation of the mixture while it isdelivering it in order to graduate the color between these two colors.This makes it possible for example to better conceal imperfections ofthe face while ensuring that the end result is realistic, or allowscolor to be graduated for beautifying purposes. The dispensing systemmay also be designed such that the user can command a variation in colorof the mixture dispensed without the start and/or end colors having beenset beforehand. To do that, the dispensing system may possess a locationor auto-location system and deduce from a look-up table the colors C1and C2 that it has to create and therefore the changes in the mixturethat it has to make.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition.

These compositions may contain absorbent particles or reactivecompounds, such as those that react in contact with the air, for examplecyanoacrylate or alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notablyUV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

The use of the agents E and R makes it possible to regulate therheological performance of the solid or semi-solid product.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

Creation of Color Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of colors suited to various parts ofthe face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

The dispensing system may have a cup and a dispenser for filling the cupwith at least one product, the cup being secured to the dispenser atleast while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the making up to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of colored substancesand/or allow the preparation of several different color mixturesintended for making up respective areas of the face. The cups may beassociated with identifiers that remind the user of the area of the facefor which a mixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm.Preferably, the size and shape of the cup either allow directapplication of the mixture to the skin or allow the mixture to be pickedup on a finger or using an applicator. The cup may be made of anelastically deformable material, making it possible for example to turnthe concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out and empty it moreeasily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a makeupproduct, comprising the step of filling a cup of a dispensing system asdefined above with at least one base product from the dispenser.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

The dispensing system preferably has a dispenser having outlet passagesfor base products and an outlet interface that is separable from thedispenser, this interface having a static blender that preferablydelivers the mixture into the cavity where it can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

It is possible to use several outlet interfaces and to fill them withdifferent respective mixtures, without the need to purge the blender,thereby reducing losses of product. The outlet interface may be asingle-use interface, if necessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the color of themixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

Since the dispenser receives at least two cartridges that each have areservoir containing a base product, the latter can leave the cartridgethrough an outlet passage of the cartridge, this outlet passage openingout at the outside of the dispenser or near the external surfacethereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the end of the housing ofthe dispenser in the absence of an outlet interface. The mounting areamay be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks easily and be able, if so desired, to make upareas as different as the skin, the lips, the eyelashes or eyebrows.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a dispensing system comprising an assembly comprising adispenser of at least one cosmetic, notably makeup, product and at leasttwo outlet interfaces, each of which can be mounted removably on thedispenser, these outlet interfaces which are able to receive the productor products delivered by the dispenser preferably being chosen fromamong the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method involving the stepof selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing a color with an area, with recording.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of colored substance may be applied with a finger,using conventional tools such as brushes, or using specialistapplicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup. This learningperiod may take account of the viscosity. In the process, the user testsseveral rheologies and inputs the best adjustment obtained.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriate color.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same color is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies a color, then makes anassessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the color is suited. The mixture is then indexed in thecomputer system which attributes it to the area(s) of the face for whichit is suitable.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a learning process for a dispensing system comprising adispenser for dispensing a mixture of variable color, and a computersystem for selecting a color and for storing data, comprising the stepsof:

a) selecting at least one color with the aid of an interface of thecomputer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture ofthe selected color,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face,

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for making up said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outletsto advise people wishing to apply makeup or at home in order to definecorrectly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the color of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for thereference of a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics ofthe mixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area,and to relay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture color at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user acolor and an area to be tested with a mixture of this color.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one color ofmixture in step a) depending on an application area of which it has beeninformed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of a color of which it has been informedby the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two mixtures ofdifferent colors, preferably separate, so that they can be appliedsimultaneously to the test area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of making up using adispensing system according to the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need formakeup,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposed color for makingup an associated area, on the basis of the learning performedbeforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the mixture ofthe proposed color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one color and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture of the        color selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the color of the        mixture and of an associated application area, notably with a        view to subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably on the        same area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for makeup,        notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one color and/or one        application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the mixture of the proposed        color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is thus a method of applying makeup involving the steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the color of a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image to the second site,        so as to receive in return information relating to the makeup        result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the makeup result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser to alter thecolor of the mixture and adapt it to best suit the face of the personpresent at the first site. Thus, this person controls the mixturedelivered by the dispenser. The first person may make herself up underthe gaze of the second. The second person sees the result of the test onthe screen and can thus correct the mixture that this second person willcontrol remotely until the ideal makeup is obtained.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup appliedat the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the color of each ofthe base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup. This embodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists andtheir work, either within an institute or over the Internet. It alsoallows people with limited capabilities, such as people with pooreyesight, or people who have difficulty discerning colors, or theelderly, or those lacking in self-confidence to apply makeup.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the color of the mixture dispensed.

According to another of its aspects, independently of or in combinationwith the other aspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, onesubject of the invention is thus a dispensing system comprising adispenser and a computer system for operating the dispenser, thiscomputer system comprising a touch screen on which the color of themixture may be displayed and a selection means that can be moved overthe screen in order to vary the color of the mixture dispensed.

Preferably, the screen displays end-point colors between which the colorof the mixture can be selected by moving the selection means betweenthese end-point colors.

The screen may display a scale of colors between at least two colors, oran area, notably of triangular outline, within which the selection meanscan be moved. This area may locally show the color of the mixturedepending for example on the distance from each of the vertices, eachone embodying a pure base product.

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired color.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent colors.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate thecolor depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for applying makeup usingan assembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto theskin using the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the color of the mixture dispensed while theface is being made up, notably as the area to be made up changes.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.05 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the system chooses aviscosity less than or equal to 10⁻² Pa·s for spray applications and ahigh viscosity for applications by hand or with a tool.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

Examples of dispensing systems have been described above with referenceto the drawing. The description of these figures also applies to thisaspect of the invention, and this description will not be repeated here.

Example 1 (Second Aspect of the Invention)

Several base products are created (the proportions are by mass)

Iron 10% Aqueous oxide/ Carpobopol 980 ammonia with Jaguar HP Basetitanium Polymer phosphoric 60 (Solvay product oxide (Lubrizol) acid qspH 9.9 Novecare) Glycerol water A1 2% 6% qs 100% B1 2.44% 0.2% 6% qs100% C1 5% 0.2% 6% qs 100%

The pH values and viscosities are:

-   -   A1: pH=2.84 Viscosity=0.65 Pa·s    -   B1: pH=9.90 Viscosity=0.044 Pa·s    -   C1: pH=6.80 Viscosity=0.04 Pa·s

The viscosity of the products is measured at 1 atm and 25° C. with aCONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar.

The dispensing system was tested with:

-   -   A1        Compartment 1    -   B1        Compartment 2    -   C1        Compartment 3

Test 1

A first mixture was created for the following volumetric proportions A:50%, B: 0%, C: 50%

The system is used to deliver 200 mg of product. The mixture is thusspread very easily (since it is very fluid, viscosity=0.45 Pa·s).

Test 2

A second mixture was created for A: 30%, B: 20%, C: 40%

The system is used to deliver 200 mg of product. The mixture is thusspread easily in a thick layer over the areas to be covered (since it isthick, viscosity=1.9 Pa·s).

Test 3

A third mixture was created for A: 40%, B: 40%, C: 20%

The system is used to deliver 200 mg of product. The mixture coverslittle but is fairly viscous (viscosity=4.7 Pa·s.). It is ideal forareas such as the forehead. It does not run on application and maintainsa natural appearance.

Example 2 (Second Aspect of the Invention)

The following formula Z is prepared: Carbopol 980 Polymer (Lubrizol) 2%10% Aqueous ammonia in water 2.44% Water qs 100% Carpobopol 980 10%Aqueous Base Iron Titanium Polymer ammonia in Jaguar product oxide oxide(Lubrizol) water HP 60 Glycerol water A1 5%  2% 2.44% 6% qs 100% B1 5%0.2% 0.395% 6% qs 100% C1 5% 0.2% qs 100% 6%

The pH values and viscosities are:

-   -   A1: pH=9.44 Viscosity=7.8 Pa·s    -   B1: pH=9.02 Viscosity=0.047 Pa·s    -   C1: pH=6.80 Viscosity=0.04 Pa·s

The viscosity of the products is measured at 1 atm and 25° C. with aCONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar.

The system was tested with:

-   -   A1        Compartment 1    -   B1        Compartment 2    -   C1        Compartment 3

Test 1

A first mixture was created for A: 50%, B: 0%, C: 50%

The result is beige and thick (viscosity=4.701 Pa·s), ideal forextensive coverage of marked areas of skin.

Test 2

A second mixture was created for A: 20%, B: 30%, C: 50%

The result is also beige but much more fluid (viscosity=1.9 Pa·s) thanin test 1. The mixture is thus spread easily in a thick layer over theareas to be covered (since it is thick).

Test 3

A third mixture was created for A: 40%, B: 40%, C: 20%

The result is lighter and of intermediate viscosity (viscosity=3.75Pa·s), ideal for treating the under-eye area.

C) System for Obtaining Films Having Properties Suitable for the VariousLocations on the Face

The precision of the color obtained is a very important factor forobtaining a quality result. However, it is also necessary, in order toobtain the most attractive results, that the product provide the bestpossible film quality.

Film quality is understood to be the quality of deposition followingapplication to the skin and then drying.

Good quality of the film is not a simple concept. This is because somefilm qualities are suited to particular areas of the face and otherqualities are suited to other areas of the face.

It is desirable for the properties of the film to be able to be adaptedto the different parts of the face in order to be able to make up orcare for the entire face with one and the same system. It is known thatthe treatment of the lips requires a degree of suppleness and it istherefore necessary for the film to be somewhat oily. It is known thatthe treatment of the area around the eye requires a film that is drierand has more of a tightening effect. It is known that the treatment ofthe base requires a film that is not cohesive in that it does not form asingle film after application. Other areas, which are less mobile, maybenefit from films that are resistant without causing discomfort (forexample, the forehead).

Usually, the solution consists in using a series of products created forsuch and such a part of the face. This approach, which is verywidespread, presents the problem of the number of references to beprovided in order to cover all the needs in terms of color.

Given the desire to be able to vary the concentrations of coloredingredients (in order that the user can have the most suitable color(s)for each area), it is difficult to provide a single film quality. Onepossibility is to provide users with several systems for varying colorsthat are mounted with products that provide one type of film quality forsome and other film qualities for others.

However, this approach is not realistic since it requires the user tohave several mixing systems.

Another possibility is to provide users with a single system for varyingcolors that is mounted with products that provide one type of filmquality for some and other film qualities for others. In this case,depending on the area to be treated, the user will mount products orother products. However, this approach is not realistic since itrequires the user to continuously change the cartridges of productwithin their system.

Another possibility is to provide users with a single system for varyingcolors that is mounted with an entire set of cartridges of base productsthat provide a variety of film qualities. In this case, depending on thearea to be treated, the system will use such and such a product withoutthe user needing to change the cartridges of product in the compartmentsof the system. However, this approach is not realistic since it requiresthe system to have a very large number of compartments, requiringcomplex and expensive technology.

We have thus sought to propose a simple system for regulating theconcentration of colored ingredients and of film quality.

This system is especially advantageous for rapidly treating (withouthaving to change systems or cartridges) all of the areas of the face,varying the color thereof, and ensuring suitable film qualities.

It also allows the user to test their colors and film qualities untilthe best performance in terms of visual effect and comfort has beenachieved.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to a third aspect, is asystem for dispensing a product, comprising a dispenser that receives atleast two cartridges containing a first base product and a second baseproduct, respectively, the dispenser allowing the delivery of at leastthese two base products in adjustable proportions in order to form afilm, at least one property of which varies depending on the adjustment.

-   -   According to this third aspect, the invention may have one or        more of the following preferred features:        -   the property of the film that varies is its flexibility,    -   the property of the film that varies is its oily nature,        -   the property of the film that varies is its tightening            nature,        -   the two base products are chosen to react with one another            to form a film,    -   the first base product comprises a reactive silicone and the        second base product comprises a catalyst that brings about the        crosslinking of the reactive silicone,    -   the reactive silicone comprises a mixture of telechelic        polyorganosiloxane bearing a vinyl function at the two chain        ends and polyhydrogenosiloxane,        -   the catalyst is platinum based,        -   the first base product comprises a film-forming polymer and            the second base product comprises an oily compound that is            liquid at room temperature,    -   the film-forming polymer has a glass transition temperature Tg        greater than or equal to 30° C., better still greater than or        equal to 60° C.,    -   the film-forming polymer is chosen from vinyl, notably acrylic,        polymers or copolymers,    -   the film-forming polymer being lipsoluble,    -   the first and second base products contain different respective        film-forming polymers,    -   the film-forming polymer of the first base product having a        glass transition temperature Tg1 and the polymer of the second        base product having a glass transition temperature Tg2 different        than Tg1, wherein preferably Tg1>60° C. and Tg2<10° C.,        -   the first base product comprises a polymer or copolymer            chosen from methacrylic polymers and copolymers, polyamides,            alkyl celluloses, polymers and copolymers of            vinylpyrrolidone, and silicone resins,        -   the second base product comprises a polymer or copolymer            chosen from acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl polymers            and copolymers and polycondensates such as polyesters and            polyurethanes,        -   the first base product comprises an oily compound with a            melting point Tf1>20° C. and the second base product            comprises an oily compound with a melting point Tf2<20° C.

This third aspect of the invention also relates to a method for applyinga cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product to human keratin materials,comprising the setting of the dispenser depending on the area to betreated, and the dispensing of the product by base products being pickedup from the cartridges in the proportions corresponding to the settingof the dispenser.

According to its third aspect, the invention is thus based on:

-   -   a dispensing system    -   at least two compartments    -   these compartments comprise compounds that form a film by        contact and are chosen such that, by combining them, a range of        film qualities is obtained.

According to this third aspect, the invention makes it possible to treatone or more areas of the face and to obtain mixtures that are veryprecise in terms of color faithfulness and comfort and suitabledurability for obtaining particularly effective effects. Hereinbelow,the term “area” is used to denote a defined part of the face, fairlysmall in surface area, covering between 1 cm2 and 100 cm2, better stillranging from 2 cm2 to 50 cm2.

Hereinbelow, the concept of “makeup” is extended beyond the provision ofcolor or of concealing capacity. This concept applies here for alltreatments in which a film is deposited on the skin, said film beingcolored, concealing, or not. For example, the concept comprises theapplication of a protective film (with screening agents) or a treatingfilm (with biological active agents) or a tightening film.

Film quality is understood as meaning the mechanical properties of thefilm. Although the mechanical properties form a continuum, the films canbe split up into a number of classes of mechanical properties:

-   -   1) Oily film    -   2) Flexible film    -   3) Rigid film    -   4) Tightening film

The system according to the invention can vary the film produced. Thus,depending on the adjustments chosen, the mechanical properties of thefilm are not the same. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, thesystem can, depending on adjustments, produce films of one category oranother. (or over the three categories)

The quality of the film is tackled by applying a film with a thicknessof 400 μm to a flexible support (sheet of parchment paper), and thenallowing it to dry for one day. In the end, the following tests arecarried out to qualify the film:

Thus, several scenarios are distinguished:

-   -   1) Oily film: When the support is folded with a radius of        curvature of 1 cm, the film remains attached to its support.        When the film is rubbed with an absorbent paper (for example        kitchen towel) for a few seconds, all or some of the film is        found on the absorbent paper.    -   2) Flexible film: When the support is folded with a radius of        curvature of 1 cm, the film remains attached to its support.        When the film is rubbed with an absorbent paper (for example        kitchen towel) for a few seconds, no transfer of the film to the        absorbent paper is noted.    -   3) Rigid film: When the support is folded with a radius of        curvature of 1 cm, the film at least partially detaches from its        support.    -   4) Tightening films are particular cases that bring about an        effect of contraction of the support during drying.

The dispensing system is preferably as defined for the two first aspectsof the invention that are described above.

Dispensing System

Thus, the dispensing system may consist, according to the third aspectof the invention, as for the first and second aspects of the invention,of a single device operating autonomously, preferably able to bemanipulated in one hand, or of a device that operates in interactionwith other components or devices. It may for example entail variousoutlet interfaces which are mounted on the dispenser depending on thetype of makeup to be created, as will be specified below. It may alsoentail a computer system which exchanges information with the dispenserin order to operate the latter, this computer system comprising, forexample, a portable terminal such as a smartphone, a camera phone, atablet, a laptop computer or a dedicated terminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s.

Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20 and100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thus possibleto easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensing system istherefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, for covering anarea of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to one aspect thereof, isa dispensing system comprising a dispenser having a housing, and atleast one cartridge received in the housing of the dispenser, thiscartridge having a body and a piston capable of moving in the body, thehousing comprising a motorized drive mechanism for moving the piston ofthe cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the shade, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the shade to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severalbase products of different colors.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is dispensed whilethe other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped. Such a dispensing system is especiallysuited to liners, glosses and other formulations applied without directcontact with the hands. This container may be removable.

For example, it is used as a lip-color dispenser and has a dispensingsystem, for example using a screw. When it is not removable, thecontainer may be produced with the body of the dispenser. When it isremovable, it may constitute one output interface among others that canbe mounted on the dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture A to a mixture B severaltimes in succession. In the case of application by spraying, amultilayer application can thus be achieved, with different formulationsfor two superposed adjacent coats. Another mode makes it possible forexample to offer several preprogrammed successive mixtures, the computersystem each time indicating to the user how these should be used, forexample by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the person isfully made up.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

Example of Implementing the Adjustment of the Film Quality

Compartment 1 contains a composition C1.

Compartment 2 contains a composition C2.

The contact between C1 and C2, at different ratios, brings aboutdifferent film qualities.

-   -   Implementation a:

Two ingredients that are able to react with one another (in two separatecompartments) can be used and the relative proportions can be adjusted.

Typically, in C1, there is a product containing a reactive silicone and,in C2, there is a product containing the catalyst thereof. Depending onthe adjustments, the properties of the film will be different.

The “reactive silicone” may typically be a mixture of telechelicpolyorganosiloxane bearing a vinyl function at the two chain ends(available notably in the Andisil VS™ range from AB SpecialtySilicones), and polyhydrogenosiloxane (available notably in the AndisilXL™ range from AB Specialty Silicones).

The “catalyst” may typically be a platinum-based catalyst such as thereference PT-50175F available from Umicore.

-   -   Implementation b:

It is also possible to use a film-forming polymer A and an oily compoundthat is liquid at room temperature B. By placing A in a product intendedfor compartment 1 and B in a product intended for compartment 2, it ispossible, by adjusting the mixtures, to vary the final film quality.

A “film-forming polymer” is understood to be a polymer that is capableof forming, by itself or in the presence of an auxiliary film-formingagent, a macroscopically continuous film that adheres to keratinmaterials, and preferably a cohesive film, and better still a film ofwhich the cohesion and mechanical properties are such that said film maybe isolable and manipulable in isolation, for example when said film isprepared by pouring onto a non-stick surface, for instance aTeflon-coated or silicone-coated surface.

It is chosen preferably from polymers having a glass transitiontemperature (Tg) greater than 30° C., preferably greater than 60 C.

Among the film-forming polymers that may be used in the composition ofthe present invention, mention may be made of synthetic polymers, offree-radical type or of polycondensate type, polymers of natural origin,and mixtures thereof.

A “free-radical film-forming polymer” is understood to be a polymerobtained by polymerization of unsaturated and especially ethylenicallyunsaturated monomers, each monomer being capable of homopolymerizing(unlike polycondensates).

The film-forming polymers of free-radical type may notably be vinylpolymers or copolymers, notably acrylic polymers.

The vinyl film-forming polymers may result from the polymerization ofethylenically unsaturated monomers containing at least one acid groupand/or esters of these acid monomers and/or amides of these acidmonomers.

Monomers bearing an acid group which may be used are α,β-ethylenicunsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,crotonic acid, maleic acid or itaconic acid. (Meth)acrylic acid andcrotonic acid are preferably used, and more preferably (meth)acrylicacid.

The esters of acidic monomers are advantageously chosen from(meth)acrylic acid esters (also known as (meth)acrylates), notably alkyl(meth)acrylates, in particular C1-C30 and preferably C1-C20 alkyl(meth)acrylates, aryl (meth)acrylates, in particular C6-C10 aryl(meth)acrylates, and hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, in particular C2-C6hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates. Mention may be made, among alkyl(meth)acrylates, of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butylmethacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, laurylmethacrylate or cyclohexyl methacrylate.

Mention may be made, among hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, of hydroxyethylacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate or2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate.

Mention may be made, among aryl (meth)acrylates, of benzyl acrylate andphenyl acrylate.

The (meth)acrylic acid esters which are particularly preferred are thealkyl (meth)acrylates.

Examples of amides of acid monomers that may be mentioned are(meth)acrylamides, and notably N-alkyl(meth)acrylamides, in particularC2-C12 alkyl(meth)acrylamides. Mention may be made, among theN-alkyl(meth)acrylamides, of N-ethylacrylami de, N-(t-butyl)acrylamide,N-(t-octyl)acrylamide and N-undecylacrylamide.

The vinyl film-forming polymers may also result from thehomopolymerization or copolymerization of monomers chosen from vinylesters and styrene monomers. In particular, these monomers may bepolymerized with acid monomers and/or esters thereof and/or amidesthereof, such as those mentioned above.

Examples of vinyl esters that may be mentioned are vinyl acetate, vinylneodecanoate, vinyl pivalate, vinyl benzoate and vinyl t-butylbenzoate.

Styrene monomers that may be mentioned are styrene andalpha-methylstyrene.

Among the film-forming polycondensates that may be mentioned arepolyurethanes, polyesters, polyester-amides, polyamides, epoxyesterresins and polyureas. The polyurethanes may be chosen from anionic,cationic, nonionic and amphoteric polyurethanes, polyurethane-acrylics,polyurethane-polyvinyl-pyrrolidones, polyester-polyurethanes,polyether-polyurethanes, polyureas and polyurea-polyurethanes, andmixtures thereof.

The polyesters may be obtained, in a known manner, by polycondensationof dicarboxylic acids with polyols, especially diols.

The dicarboxylic acid may be aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic. Examplesof such acids that may be mentioned include: oxalic acid, malonic acid,dimethylmalonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelicacid, 2,2-dimethylglutaric acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid, sebacicacid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, phthalic acid,dodecanedioic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid,1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid,2,5-norbornanedicarboxylic acid, diglycolic acid, thiodipropionic acid,2,5-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid.These dicarboxylic acid monomers may be used alone or as a combinationof at least two dicarboxylic acid monomers. Among these monomers, theones preferentially chosen are phthalic acid, isophthalic acid andterephthalic acid.

The diol may be chosen from aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic diols. Thediol used is preferably chosen from: ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol,triethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, cyclohexanedimethanol and4-butanediol. Other polyols that may be used are glycerol,pentaerythritol, sorbitol and trimethylolpropane.

The polyesteramides may be obtained in a manner analogous to that of thepolyesters, by polycondensation of diacids with diamines or aminoalcohols. Diamines that may be used are ethylenediamine,hexamethylenediamine and meta- or para-phenylenediamine. An aminoalcohol that may be used is monoethanolamine.

The polyester may also comprise at least one monomer bearing at leastone group —SO3M, with M representing a hydrogen atom, an ammonium ionNH4+ or a metal ion such as, for example, an Na+, Li+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+,Cu2+, Fe2+ or Fe3+ ion. A difunctional aromatic monomer comprising sucha group —SO3M may notably be used.

The aromatic nucleus of the difunctional aromatic monomer also bearing agroup —SO3M as described above may be chosen, for example, from benzene,naphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, oxybiphenyl, sulfonylbiphenyl andmethylenebiphenyl nuclei. As examples of difunctional aromatic monomersalso bearing a group —SO3M, mention may be made of: sulfoisophthalicacid, sulfoterephthalic acid, sulfophthalic acid and4-sulfonaphthalene-2,7-dicarboxylic acid.

According to one example of a composition according to the invention,the film-forming polymer may be a polymer dissolved in a liquid fattyphase comprising organic solvents or oils (the film-forming polymer isthus said to be a liposoluble polymer). The liquid fatty phasepreferably comprises a volatile oil, optionally mixed with a nonvolatileoil.

Examples of liposoluble polymers that may be mentioned are copolymers ofa vinyl ester (the vinyl group being directly linked to the oxygen atomof the ester group and the vinyl ester containing a saturated, linear orbranched hydrocarbon-based radical of 1 to 19 carbon atoms, linked tothe carbonyl of the ester group) and of at least one other monomer whichmay be a vinyl ester (other than the vinyl ester already present), anα-olefin (containing from 8 to 28 carbon atoms), an alkyl vinyl ether(in which the alkyl group comprises from 2 to 18 carbon atoms) or anallyl or methallyl ester (containing a saturated, linear or branchedhydrocarbon-based radical of 1 to 19 carbon atoms, linked to thecarbonyl of the ester group).

These copolymers may be crosslinked with the aid of crosslinking agents,which may be either of the vinyl type or of the allylic or methallylictype, such as tetraallyloxyethane, divinylbenzene, divinyl octanedioate,divinyl dodecanedioate and divinyl octadecanedioate.

Examples of these copolymers that may be mentioned include the followingcopolymers: vinyl acetate/allyl stearate, vinyl acetate/vinyl laurate,vinyl acetate/vinyl stearate, vinyl acetate/octadecene, vinylacetate/octadecyl vinyl ether, vinyl propionate/allyl laurate, vinylpropionate/vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate/1-octadecene, vinylacetate/l-dodecene, vinyl stearate/ethyl vinyl ether, vinylpropionate/cetyl vinyl ether, vinyl stearate/allyl acetate, vinyl2,2-dimethyloctanoate/vinyl laurate, allyl 2,2-dimethylpentanoate/vinyllaurate, vinyl dimethylpropionate/vinyl stearate, allyldimethylpropionate/vinyl stearate, vinyl propionate/vinyl stearate,crosslinked with 0.2% divinylbenzene, vinyl dimethylpropionate/vinyllaurate, crosslinked with 0.2% divinylbenzene, vinyl acetate/octadecylvinyl ether, crosslinked with 0.2% tetraallyloxyethane, vinylacetate/allyl stearate, crosslinked with 0.2% divinylbenzene, vinylacetate/1-octadecene crosslinked with 0.2% divinylbenzene, and allylpropionate/allyl stearate, crosslinked with 0.2% divinylbenzene.

Examples of liposoluble film-forming polymers that may be mentionedinclude copolymers of a vinyl ester and of at least one other monomerthat may be a vinyl ester, especially vinyl neodecanoate, vinyl benzoateand vinyl t-butylbenzoate, an α-olefin, an alkyl vinyl ether or anallylic or methallylic ester.

Liposoluble film-forming polymers that may also be mentioned includeliposoluble copolymers, and in particular those resulting from thecopolymerization of vinyl esters containing from 9 to 22 carbon atoms orof alkyl acrylates or methacrylates, the alkyl radicals containing from10 to 20 carbon atoms.

Such liposoluble copolymers may be chosen from copolymers of polyvinylstearate, polyvinyl stearate crosslinked with divinylbenzene, withdiallyl ether or with diallyl phthalate, polystearyl (meth)acrylatecopolymers, polyvinyl laurate and polylauryl (meth)acrylate, thesepoly(meth)acrylates possibly being crosslinked with ethylene glycoldimethacrylate or tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

The liposoluble copolymers defined above are known and are describednotably in the application FR-A-2232303; they may have a weight-averagemolecular weight ranging from 2000 to 500 000 and preferably from 4000to 200 000.

As liposoluble film-forming polymers that may be used in the invention,mention may also be made of polyalkylenes and notably copolymers ofC2-C20 alkenes, such as polybutene, alkylcelluloses with a linear orbranched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C8 alkyl radical, for instanceethylcellulose and propylcellulose, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone (VP)and in particular copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and of C2 to C40 andbetter still C3 to C20 alkene. As examples of VP copolymers that may beused in the invention, mention may be made of the copolymers of VP/vinylacetate, VP/ethyl methacrylate, butylated polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP),VP/ethyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid, VP/eicosene, VP/hexadecene,VP/triacontene, VP/styrene or VP/acrylic acid/lauryl methacrylate.

Mention may also be made of silicone resins, which are generally solubleor swellable in silicone oils. The nomenclature of silicone resins isknown under the name “MDTQ”, the resin being described as a function ofthe various siloxane monomer units that it comprises, each of theletters “MDTQ” characterizing a type of unit. As examples, mention maybe made of polymethylsilsesquioxane resins, polypropylsilsesquioxaneresins, and trimethyl siloxysilicate resins (TMS).

An “oily compound liquid at room temperature” is understood to be an oilthat remains on the skin at room temperature and atmospheric pressurefor at least several hours, and that notably has a vapor pressure ofless than 0.13 Pa (0.01 mmHg).

These nonvolatile oils may be hydrocarbon-based oils, notably of animalor plant origin, silicone oils, or mixtures thereof. A“hydrocarbon-based oil” is understood to be an oil mainly containinghydrogen and carbon atoms and possibly oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and/orphosphorus atoms.

Nonvolatile hydrocarbon-based oils that may especially be mentionedinclude:

-   -   hydrocarbon-based oils of animal origin,    -   hydrocarbon-based oils of plant origin such as triglycerides        constituted by fatty acid esters of glycerol, the fatty acids of        which may have chain lengths varying from C4 to C24, these        chains possibly being linear or branched, and saturated or        unsaturated; these oils are in particular heptanoic or octanoic        acid triglycerides, or alternatively wheatgerm oil, sunflower        oil, grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, corn oil, apricot oil,        castor oil, shea oil, avocado oil, olive oil, soybean oil, sweet        almond oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, hazelnut        oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, alfalfa oil, poppy oil, pumpkin        oil, marrow oil, blackcurrant oil, evening primrose oil, millet        oil, barley oil, quinoa oil, rye oil, safflower oil, candlenut        oil, passion-flower oil and musk rose oil; shea butter; or else        caprylic/capric acid triglycerides,    -   synthetic ethers containing from 10 to 40 carbon atoms,    -   linear or branched hydrocarbons of mineral or synthetic origin,        such as petroleum jelly, polydecenes, hydrogenated        polyisobutene, squalane and liquid paraffins, and mixtures        thereof,    -   synthetic esters such as oils of formula R1COOR2 in which R1        represents a linear or branched fatty acid residue containing        from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and R2 represents a notably branched        hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, on        the condition that R1+R2≥10, for instance purcellin oil        (cetostearyl octanoate), isopropyl myristate, isopropyl        palmitate, C12 to C15 alkyl benzoates, hexyl laurate,        diisopropyl adipate, isononyl isononanoate, isodecyl        neopentanoate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, isostearyl isostearate,        2-hexyldecyl laurate, 2-octyldecyl palmitate, 2-octyldodecyl        myristate, alkyl or polyalkyl heptanoates, octanoates,        decanoates or ricinoleates such as propylene glycol dioctanoate;        hydroxylated esters such as isostearyl lactate, diisostearyl        malate and 2-octyldodecyl lactate; polyol esters and        pentaerythritol esters,    -   fatty alcohols that are liquid at room temperature, with a        branched and/or unsaturated carbon-based chain containing from        12 to 26 carbon atoms, for instance octyldodecanol, isostearyl        alcohol, oleyl alcohol, 2-hexyldecanol, 2-butyloctanol and        2-undecylpentadecanol,    -   higher fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid or        linolenic acid, and mixtures thereof,

The nonvolatile silicone oils that may be used in the compositionaccording to the invention may be nonvolatile polydimethylsiloxanes(PDMSs), polydimethylsiloxanes comprising alkyl or alkoxy groups, thatare pendent and/or at the end of a silicone chain, the groups eachcontaining from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, phenyl silicones, for instancephenyl trimethicones, phenyl dimethicones,phenyltrimethylsiloxydiphenylsiloxanes, diphenyl dimethicones,diphenylmethyldiphenyltrisiloxanes, and mixtures thereof.

-   -   Implementation c:

It is also possible to use a film-forming polymer A and a film-formingpolymer B. By placing A in a product intended for compartment 1 and B ina product intended for compartment 2, it is possible, by adjusting themixtures, to vary the final film quality.

Use is typically made of a film-forming polymer A of high Tg(typically >60° C.) and a film-forming polymer B of low Tg (typically<10° C.), from those described above.

The film-forming polymer A of high Tg is preferably chosen frommethacrylic polymers or copolymers, polyamides, alkylcelluloses such asethylcellulose and propylcellulose, polymers and copolymers ofvinylpyrrolidone, and silicone resins.

The film-forming polymer B of low Tg is preferably chosen from acrylicpolymers or copolymers, vinyl copolymers, and polycondensates such aspolyesters and polyurethanes.

-   -   Implementation d:

It is also possible to use an oily compound with a melting point>roomtemperature (wax) A and an oily compound that is liquid at roomtemperature B. By placing A in a product intended for compartment 1 andB in a product intended for compartment 2, it is possible, by adjustingthe mixtures, to vary the final film quality.

An “oily compound with a melting point>room temperature” is understoodto be a fatty substance that is solid at room temperature.

Pasty fatty substances can be defined with the aid of at least one ofthe following physicochemical properties:

-   -   a viscosity of 0.1 to 40 Pa·s (1 to 400 poises), measured at        40° C. with a CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an        MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuring bar at a frequency of 60 Hz,    -   a melting point of 25-70° C., preferably 25-55° C.

As waxes that may be used according to the invention, mention may bemade of:

-   -   waxes of animal origin, such as beeswax, spermaceti, lanolin wax        and lanolin derivatives, plant waxes such as carnauba wax,        candelilla wax, ouricury wax, Japan wax, cocoa butter, cork        fiber wax or sugarcane wax,    -   mineral waxes, for example paraffin wax, petroleum jelly wax,        lignite wax, microcrystalline waxes or ozokerites,    -   synthetic waxes, including polyethylene waxes and the waxes        obtained by Fisher-Tropsch synthesis,    -   silicone waxes, in particular substituted linear polysiloxanes;        examples that may be mentioned include polyether silicone waxes,        alkyl or alkoxy dimethicones containing from 16 to 45 carbon        atoms, alkyl methicones,    -   hydrogenated oils that are solid at 25° C., such as hydrogenated        castor oil, hydrogenated jojoba oil, hydrogenated palm oil,        hydrogenated tallow or hydrogenated coconut oil, and fatty        esters that are solid at 25° C., for instance C20-C40 alkyl        stearate,    -   and/or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, use will be made of polyethylene waxes, microcrystallinewaxes, carnauba waxes, hydrogenated jojoba oil, candelilla waxes,beeswaxes, and/or mixtures thereof.

Optimization

It is very advantageous to have as few compartments as possible.

Thus, if the system is desired to be able to adjust the color (thisbeing the main aim), it will be necessary to provide two compartments inaddition to the two intended for controlling the film quality. Thus, itwill be necessary to provide:

-   -   compartments 1 and 2 containing the ingredients for varying the        quality of the film, and    -   other compartments (3 or 4 for example), for placing the        ingredients M for varying the color therein.

It is also possible to place the active agents M in compartments 1 or 2or 1 and 2.

In this way, the total number of compartments is reduced to 3, or even2, rather than 4.

For example, the active agents M are put in the products that are placedin compartments 1 and 2. In compartment 1, M is set at a highconcentration, and in compartment 2, M is set at a low concentration.

The active agents that produce the film and regulate the propertiesthereof are thus placed in compartments 1 and 2. A wax in emulsion isput in the product in compartment 1 and an oil is put in the product incompartment 2.

If the system is used with a majority setting in 1, a product with aconcentration of wax and active agent M is obtained.

The majority setting in 1 can then be used on eye contour areas whereextensive coverage and a dry film are desired.

The majority setting in 2 can be used as a “foundation product” on theentire surface of the face, notably when the user has dry skin. The lowlevel of pigment ensures a natural appearance and the oily nature of thefilm does not have a bothersome effect.

It is possible to place an active agent M1 in a product intended forcompartment 1 and an active agent M2 in a product intended forcompartment 2. For example, M1 is a yellow pigment and M2 is a redpigment.

The active agents that produce the film and regulate the propertiesthereof are thus placed in compartments 1 and 2. For example, a reactivesilicone in emulsion is put in the product in compartment 1 and acatalyst is put in the product in compartment 2.

If the system with the majority setting in 1 is used, a product with ahigh reactive silicone/catalyst ratio and a high concentration of yellowpigment is obtained.

The majority setting in 1 can then be used on the face where the yellowcolor is suitable and the oily film provides a high level of mobilityand thus comfort.

The majority setting in 2 can be used on the lips, where the red coloris suitable and greater resistance of the film, due to greatercrosslinking, will give better durability.

It is possible to place the active agents M in a compartment 3. Forexample, a yellow pigment is placed therein.

The active agents that produce the film and regulate the propertiesthereof are placed in compartments 1 and 2. For example, a wax inemulsion is put in the product in compartment 1 and an oil is put in theproduct in compartment 2.

-   -   If the system with a 70/20/10 setting is used, a film that        covers little but is suitable for areas subjected to rubbing,        for example the neck, will be obtained.    -   If the system with a 20/70/10 setting is used, a result that        covers little and is very comfortable, suitable for the large        surfaces of the face, will be obtained.    -   If the system with a 30/10/60 setting is used, a result that        covers highly, suitable for example for very marked areas, will        be obtained.    -   If the system with a 10/30/60 setting is used, a result that        covers highly and is very comfortable, suitable for example for        making up the eyelashes, will be obtained.

The invention according to this third aspect is not limited to activeagents that provide coloring effects. It is possible to use care activeagents such as anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, antiperspirant,mark-preventing, photoprotective and moisturizing active agents.

It is also possible to mix active agents that provide coloring effectsand care effects.

Use for Making Up One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, day after day, withonly the areas that need to be hidden being treated. To this end, smalldoses of makeup are delivered, and are applied specifically andsequentially to the corresponding areas. Each small dose is createdusing the mixture suited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the programming takes intoaccount the resistance and comfort to be achieved in order to obtainoptimum results. As an alternative, the dispensing system informs theperson, when delivering a mixture, of the area to which the person is toapply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing system may follow an applicationprogram in which it delivers, in a given order, the various mixturesthat are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the color, the area of the face and thequantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and wastageof product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoiding occlusioneffects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that have a highcovering capability and provide too much cover to be applied to thewhole of the face. Thus, it is possible to obtain makeup of natural oreven undetectable appearance.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

The dispensing system is suited to treating the areas that are to beconcealed, without having to conceal the entire face.

When the user is looking for the color to apply to an area of the face,it is advantageous to memorize the color best suited to each area, andthe dispensing system is thus advantageously designed to memorize thiscolor and the corresponding area. Thus, by using the memorizedinformation, on each use, the same mixture can be delivered for eacharea or, if several areas are being treated, the same series of mixturescan be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the colors application after application. Thus, theperson may make up her lips using different colors that she chooses on aday-by-day basis to suit her tastes. This approach is also suitable forthe eyelids or eyelashes, and for face makeup because the person mayfancy a change of foundation color. For example, on weekdays, the personapplies a pale colored foundation, with a more tanned foundation colorat the weekends, or may have eye makeup in one color one day and anothercolor another day.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change colorto suit her tastes according to the day, the time, what she is wearing,and the weather. Thus, a system to assist with decision making isadvantageously provided to guide the user in her choices of color.

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing the colors onthe same face and contribute toward a successful overall makeup look.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Graduated Makeup

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product. In addition, the outletfor the base products or for the mixture is moved relative to acontainer or a support defining an application surface. In oneparticular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isdesigned to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves as a functionof the color C1 of one area to be treated and of the color C2 of anotherarea to be treated. For example, with the knowledge that the chinrequires a color C1 and that the cheek requires a color C2, thedispensing system may vary the formulation of the mixture while it isdelivering it in order to graduate the color between these two colors.This makes it possible for example to better conceal imperfections ofthe face while ensuring that the end result is realistic, or allowscolor to be graduated for beautifying purposes. The dispensing systemmay also be designed such that the user can command a variation in colorof the mixture dispensed without the start and/or end colors having beenset beforehand. To do that, the dispensing system may possess a locationor auto-location system and deduce from a look-up table the colors C1and C2 that it has to create and therefore the changes in the mixturethat it has to make.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition.

These compositions may contain absorbent particles or reactivecompounds, such as those that react in contact with the air, for examplecyanoacrylate or alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notablyUV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

Creation of Color Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of colors suited to various parts ofthe face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

The dispensing system preferably has a cup and a dispenser for fillingthe cup with at least one product, the cup being secured to thedispenser at least while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the making up to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of colored substancesand/or allow the preparation of several different color mixturesintended for making up respective areas of the face. The cups may beassociated with identifiers that remind the user of the area of the facefor which a mixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Preferably, the size and shape of the cupeither allow direct application of the mixture to the skin or allow themixture to be picked up on a finger or using an applicator. The cup maybe made of an elastically deformable material, making it possible forexample to turn the concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out andempty it more easily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a makeupproduct, comprising the step of filling a cup of a dispensing system asdefined above with at least one base product from the dispenser.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

The dispensing system may have a dispenser having outlet passages forbase products and an outlet interface that is separable from thedispenser, this interface having a static blender that preferablydelivers the mixture into a cavity where it can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

It is possible to use several outlet interfaces and to fill them withdifferent respective mixtures, without the need to purge the blender,thereby reducing losses of product. The outlet interface may be asingle-use interface, if necessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the color of themixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge through an outletpassage of the cartridge, this outlet passage opening out at the outsideof the dispenser or near the external surface thereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the outside of the housingof the dispenser in the absence of an outlet interface. The mountingarea may be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks easily and be able, if so desired, to make upareas as different as the skin, the lips, the eyelashes or eyebrows.

The dispensing system may comprise an assembly having a dispenser of atleast one cosmetic product, in particular makeup, and at least twooutlet interfaces, each of which can be mounted removably on thedispenser, these outlet interfaces being able to receive the product(s)delivered by the dispenser, preferably being chosen from the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method involving the stepof selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing a color with an area, with recording.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of colored substance may be applied with a finger,using conventional tools such as brushes, or using specialistapplicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup. This learningperiod may take account of the resistance and the comfort. In theprocess, the user tests several rheologies and inputs the bestadjustment obtained.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriate color.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same color is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies a color, then makes anassessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the color is suited. The mixture is then indexed in thecomputer system which attributes it to the area(s) of the face for whichit is suitable.

A learning process for a dispensing system according to the invention,comprising a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of variable color, and acomputer system for selecting a color and for storing data, comprisesthe steps of:

a) selecting at least one color with the aid of an interface of thecomputer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture ofthe selected color,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face,

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for making up said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outletsto advise people wishing to apply makeup or at home in order to definecorrectly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the color of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for thereference of a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics ofthe mixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area,and to relay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture color at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user acolor and an area to be tested with a mixture of this color.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one color ofmixture in step a) depending on an application area of which it has beeninformed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of a color of which it has been informedby the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two mixtures ofdifferent colors, preferably separate, so that they can be appliedsimultaneously to the test area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of making up using adispensing system according to this aspect of the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need formakeup,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposed color for makingup an associated zone, on the basis of the learning performedbeforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the mixture ofthe proposed color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one color and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture of the        color selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the color of the        mixture and of an associated application area, notably with a        view to subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably on the        same area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for makeup,        notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one color and/or one        application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the mixture of the proposed        color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings, by virtue of a method ofapplying makeup involving the steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the color of a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image to the second site,        so as to receive in return information relating to the makeup        result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the makeup result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser to alter thecolor of the mixture and adapt it to best suit the face of the personpresent at the first site. Thus, this person controls the mixturedelivered by the dispenser. The first person may make herself up underthe gaze of the second. The second person sees the result of the test ontheir screen and can thus correct the mixture that this second personwill control remotely until the ideal makeup is obtained.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup appliedat the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the color of each ofthe base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup. This embodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists andtheir work, either within an institute or over the Internet. It alsoallows people with limited capabilities, such as people with pooreyesight, or people who have difficulty discerning colors, or theelderly, or those lacking in self-confidence to apply makeup.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the color of the mixture dispensed.

In another of its aspects, independently of or in combination with theother aspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject ofthe invention is thus a dispensing system comprising a dispenser and acomputer system for operating the dispenser, this computer systemcomprising a touch screen on which the color of the mixture may bedisplayed and a selection means that can be moved over the screen inorder to vary the color of the mixture dispensed.

Preferably, the screen displays end-point colors between which the colorof the mixture can be selected by moving the selection means betweenthese end-point colors.

The screen may display a scale of colors between at least two colors, oran area, notably of triangular outline, within which the selection meanscan be moved. This area may locally show the color of the mixturedepending for example on the distance from each of the vertices, eachone embodying a pure base product.

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired color.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

A subject of the invention is also an assembly comprising:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent colors.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate thecolor depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for applying makeup usingan assembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto theskin using the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the color of the mixture dispensed while theface is being made up, notably as the area to be made up changes.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.05 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

An example of a dispensing system that can be used to implement theinvention according to this third aspect has already been described withreference to the figures. Therefore, the description of the figures willnot be repeated here.

Example 1 (Third Aspect of the Invention)

Several base products are created (the proportions are by mass)

A1: Ultrahold strong from BASF 10% (acrylate copolymer of Tg = 80° C.)Carbopol Ultrez 10 (Lubrizol) *  1% Monoethanolamine qs pH 9 Water qs100%  B1: AQ 1350 (Eastman chemicals) 10% (polyester bearing a sulfonicfunction, Tg = 0° C.) Carbopol Ultrez 10 (Lubrizol) *  1%Monoethanolamine qs pH 9 Water qs 100%  C1: Pigments (iron oxide,titanium dioxide 20/80) 20% (polyester bearing a sulfonic function, Tg =0° C.) Carbopol (Lubrizol) *  1% Monoethanolamine qs pH 9 Water qs100%  * Crosslinked carboxyvinyl homopolymer synthesized in the ethylacetate/cyclohexane mixture

Test

Mixtures are created:

The system is used to deliver doses of 50 to 200 mg of product. Themixtures are then spread little by little, dose by dose.

Proportions of 50/10/40 for making up the cheekbones in order to give acolored and shiny effect (500 mg)

20/40/40 for the eyelids in order to confer color and a slight shinethereon. The flexibility of the film is enough not to cause discomfortin this sensitive and supple part of the body (100 mg total)

20/20/60 for concealing local imperfections such as dark marks. (200 mgtotal)

Example 2 (Third Aspect of the Invention)

Several formulations are created

A1: Ultrahold strong from BASF * 10% (Tg = 80° C.) Jaguar HP 60 (Rhodia) 1% Monoethanolamine qs pH 9 Water qs 100%  B1: AQ 1350 (Eastmanchemicals) 10% (polyester bearing a sulfonic function, Tg = 0° C.)Jaguar HP 60 (Rhodia)  1% Monoethanolamine qs pH 9 Water qs 100%  C1:Mexoryl SX (UVA screening agent) 20% Jaguar HP 60 (Rhodia)  1%Monoethanolamine qs pH 9 Water qs 100%  * Acrylic acid/ethylacrylate/N-tert-butylacrylamide terpolymer

The system is tested with:

-   -   A1        Compartment 1    -   B1        Compartment 2    -   C1        Compartment 3

Test

Mixtures are created:

The system is used to deliver doses of 50 to 200 mg of product. Themixtures are then spread little by little, dose by dose.

Proportions of 50/10/40 for protecting moles (500 mg)

20/40/40 for protecting the entire face. The flexibility of the film isenough not to cause discomfort in this sensitive and supple part of thebody (100 mg total)

20/20/60 for treating and protecting the area around the eyes, avoidingthe risks of the appearance of marks.

D) Dispensing System for Creating Mixtures with Compositions Having aHigh Solvent Content

This fourth aspect of the invention relates more particularly todispensing methods and systems, notably for dispensing a makeup, care,fragrancing and hygiene product.

Many people wish to make themselves up in order to enhance theirappearance, particularly their face. They also wish to be able toprotect their skin in order to maintain an attractive appearance or totreat the skin in order to correct defects.

There are two types of reason why these people may wish to do this:

-   -   Local treatments (typically over several square centimeters).        This may be to conceal marks, wrinkles or pores, protect moles        from UV light, treat wrinkles or pores, or apply odorous        compounds.    -   Treatments over large surfaces (100 cm2 or more), notably to        change the look of the face by changing color or realizing        protection against UV radiation.

In these different cases, the operation involves applying a productcontaining one or more ingredients and covering the skin or an area ofskin therewith.

Thus, compositions containing insoluble ingredients (pigments formakeup, powders for anti-grease effects) are applied. These ingredientsmay be conveyed in water, for example.

Ingredients that are soluble in the medium are also applied. In thiscase, there are two scenarios:

When the ingredients are soluble in water, water can be used as solvent.

When the ingredients are soluble in organic solvents but insoluble orinsufficiently soluble in water, formulation is frequently carried outin a formulation containing water, combining these ingredients withpeptizers, surfactants or compatibilizing molecules. The compositionsare water− or water+oil-based. This approach has the limitation ofleaving surfactants/peptizers on the skin, causing certain defects suchas a sticky touch.

Another approach is to dissolve them in an organic solvent.

Approach I: Dissolution of the Ingredients in a Heavy Organic Solvent.

They can be dissolved in a heavy organic solvent (having a high boilingpoint (>100° C.)), such as oil. This approach is often unsatisfactorysince, even though numerous tests have been carried out to findrelatively unobtrusive organic solvents (in the sense that they are notnoticed once they have been applied), the limitation of this approach isthat it is not very comfortable, both during application (hands becomegreasy) and afterward (impression of feeling a greasy layer on theskin). Moreover, the layers produced fairly quickly lose their effect(if only by wear or evaporation). There are two situations:

-   -   a) If these compositions are applied globally, the discomfort        and elimination are significant problems. In order to reduce        discomfort, the best thing is to apply limited quantities of        composition. This increases the risks of elimination, causing a        need to reapply the composition.    -   b) If these compositions are applied locally, it is especially        the problem of wear that is problematic. This is because, if an        uncontrolled movement removes the film in certain areas, the        effect is lost. (loss of concealing/protective power etc. in the        case of makeup/photoprotective compositions etc.).

Thus, in both situations, there is a need to apply the compositionssuccessively, and in small quantities, during the day. In particular forthe local treatment, since the necessary doses can vary from dose todose, there is a need to be able to regulate the quantity and/or thequality of the ingredient(s). This need also exists for globaltreatments, since, from application to application, it is necessary tobe able to regulate the quantity and/or the quality of theingredient(s). For example, if makeup has been applied in the morning,and the makeup needs to be reapplied at lunchtime, it will be necessaryfor the concentration of concealing ingredients to be adapted to thesituation (more or less depending on the elimination).

Approach II: Dissolution of the Ingredients in a Light Organic Solvent.

It is also possible to use a lighter solvent (ethanol for example).These solvents leave few if any traces, which is an advantage. The speedof drying of the organic solvent is a drawback, notably for globaltreatments. For local treatments, the speed of drying is not sobothersome, since the composition is applied a little at a time. Forglobal treatments, the speed of drying requires that the product beapplied a little at a time.

In both cases, it is advantageous to be able to vary the quality and/orquantity of the ingredients.

-   -   a) For global treatments, since the speed of drying makes        spreading impossible, it is necessary to be able to vary the        quantities of ingredients. This is because, when a makeup        composition (which thus comprises concealing ingredients) is        applied, it is found that certain areas are more covered than        others. This irregularity, which is detrimental to the        appearance, needs to be corrected by the application of further        touches, the ingredient concentration of which will need to be        adapted to the situation. Little concealing ingredient if the        irregularity is small. High concentration of concealing        ingredient if the irregularity is large.    -   b) For local treatments, it is necessary to be able to regulate        the quantity and/or quality of ingredient since it is desired i)        to adapt these parameters to the situation of each area of the        face, ii) to be able to apply small touches little by little.        For example, in order to conceal a mark, a first touch will be        applied that contains a high concentration of concealing        ingredient. Next, by eye or with a device, the quantity to be        added will be estimated. Thus, it will certainly be necessary to        make a second application at the same location, by putting on a        layer of composition with fewer concealing ingredients. And so        on until a perfect result is obtained in that the mark is no        longer visible.

Thus, in the case in which the ingredients are conveyed in a compositionbased on a light organic solvent, there is also a need to be able toregulate the quantity and/or the quality of the ingredient(s) and toapply a little at a time.

Particular case of fragrancing or refreshing compositions.

Here too, the user wishes to be able to apply the compositions to theirface. Either in small localized touches (perfumes), or more globally(refreshing compositions). In the first case, the fragrancingingredients are generally insoluble or not very soluble in water. It isthus necessary to dissolve them in an organic base which may be a heavyor light solvent. In the second case, the composition may also containfragrancing ingredients. Thus, the compositions are generallyfragrancing ingredients in ethanol (colognes). There is a need to varythe quantities of fragrancing ingredients in order to alter the effectobtained.

In summary, there are several needs to make available in smallquantities oily or light-solvent-based compositions where the qualityand/or the quantity of ingredients (soluble or particulate orsoluble+particulate) in these compositions can be controlled.

It will be understood that, in all of these situations, it is necessaryfor the system to be able to deliver small touches of composition (withthe correct setting) in small amounts of time. Typically a few secondsor less. It will also be understood that the system has to be easy touse during the day and thus preferably portable. It will also beunderstood that the system has to be easy to control, with as few humanactions as possible. Thus, the system has to be able to be programmed,in particular programmed for the personal needs of the user.

Thus, consideration is given to systems formed of:

-   -   1) a dispensing system    -   2) several compartments in which cartridges containing the        compositions are placed    -   3) the compositions do not contain the same quantities and/or        quality of ingredients    -   4) a control system

The production of such a system is associated with precision problems.Without sufficient precision, the quantities delivered and thus themixtures are sometimes far from the quantities desired. Several testshave been carried out with different cartridges and tests have been runto vary the quantities and/or qualities of ingredients. It is apparentthat the adjustments are made poorly and the quantities and/or qualitiesof ingredients obtained are far from the targets.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to a fourth of itsaspects, is a system for dispensing a cosmetic product, comprising adispenser that receives at least two cartridges that each have areservoir containing a base product, a first base product comprising atleast one organic solvent, the cartridge that contains it having a bodymade of at least one of the thermoplastic materials chosen from the listcomprising simple polyolefins, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyamides andsemi-aromatic polyamides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polybismaleimide,polyurethanes, polyesters, polyepoxides, polyether-block-amide,polyacetal, polyetherketone, polyetherimides (PEI), polyimides,polyamide-imide (PAI), FEP (perfluorinated ethylene propylene), PFA(polyfluoroalkoxy), ECTFE (ethylene chloro trifluoro ethylene), and ETFE(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), and mixtures thereof, and preferablysimple polyolefins, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyamides andsemi-aromatic polyamides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polybismaleimide,and mixtures thereof.

According to this fourth aspect of the invention, the latter may alsohave one or more of the following features:

-   -   the cartridge comprises the first base product and, besides the        body of the cartridge, comprises other components exposed to the        first base product, at least one of these components and        preferably all of these components being chosen from the above        list.    -   the total content of organic solvent(s) in the first base        product is greater than or equal to the total water content of        the first base product,    -   the total content of organic solvent(s) in the first base        product is greater than or equal to 50% relative to all of the        solvents,    -   the cartridges are identical, except for their content and a        possible identifier,        -   at least one of the compositions comprises a perfume,    -   the cartridges are received in a removable manner in the        dispenser,    -   each product leaves the cartridge through an outlet passage of        the cartridge, the outlet passage being defined by a dispensing        end piece of the cartridge, said end piece being driven in        rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drive        mechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base product        contained in the cartridge.

The invention according to this fourth aspect is thus based on the useof a dispensing system having cartridges, base products, and control,the cartridges being formed from particular materials. As a result,precision is good.

The invention according to this aspect thus makes it possible to providea solution to this question of the delivery of small quantities of oilyor light-solvent-based compositions where the quality and/or thequantity of ingredients (soluble or particulate or soluble+particulate)can be controlled. As a result, it is possible to apply makeup globallyor to small areas, it is possible to treat defects (wrinkles, pores,marks), apply protective elements globally or in precise areas, and toperfume oneself. It is also possible to find the most suitableadjustments of formulation. Specifically, the system makes it possibleto deliver small quantities and as a result, after application, it ispossible to identify whether the adjustment is suitable or to find a newone. It is thus a means of finding ideal adjustments.

Besides the advantage of providing a solution to these problems, it isalso possible to benefit from the system for applying an oil or amixture of oils (thus when the oils form the ingredient) in particularwith essential oils.

Generally, the invention according to this fourth aspect is used in allscenarios in which the vehicle is rich in organic solvent, heavy and/orlight, greater than 50% relative to all of the solvents, and inparticular greater than 80% relative to the water of the solvents. Forexample, a fragrancing composition comprising 20% odorous ingredient+70%ethanol+10% water is considered to have 87.5% organic solvent (70/80).

The invention according to these aspects can treat cases in which thecomposition contains, in addition to the organic solvent(s), ingredientsthat are soluble in the solvent. It also applies to compositions thatcontain particulate ingredients in addition to the organic solvent(s).(pigments, powders, screening agents).

It is possible to be in a hybrid situation in which several cartridgesare used in one and the same system, some of these cartridges havingcompositions rich in organic solvents and others not. Thus, it ispossible to employ the system:

-   -   1) All the cartridges are according to the invention (with        selected materials), whether or not they are rich in organic        solvent.    -   2) Cartridges according to the invention (with selected        materials) for the compositions rich in organic solvent and        cartridges outside the invention for compositions which are not        rich in organic solvent.

Situation 1) is preferred because it is simpler in terms of theindustrial logistics of manufacturing and recycling.

The invention allows one or more areas to be treated. Hereinbelow, theterm “area” is used to denote a defined part of the face, fairly smallin surface area, covering between 1 cm2 and 100 cm2, better stillranging from 2 cm2 to 50 cm2.

Dispensing System

The dispensing system according to this aspect of the invention mayconsist of a single device operating autonomously, preferably able to bemanipulated in one hand, or of a device that operates in interactionwith other components or devices. It may for example entail variousoutlet interfaces which are mounted on the dispenser depending on thetype of effects to be created, as will be specified below. It may alsoentail a computer system which exchanges information with the dispenserin order to operate the latter, this computer system comprising, forexample, a portable terminal such as a smartphone, a camera phone, atablet, a laptop computer or a dedicated terminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s. Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20and 100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thuspossible to easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensingsystem is therefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, forcovering an area of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to one aspect thereof, isa dispensing system comprising a dispenser having a housing, and atleast one cartridge received in the housing of the dispenser, thiscartridge having a body and a piston capable of moving in the body, thehousing comprising a motorized drive mechanism for moving the piston ofthe cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the effect, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the effect to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severaldifferent base products.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is dispensed whilethe other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped. Such a dispensing system is especiallysuited to liners, glosses and other formulations applied without directcontact with the hands. This container may be removable.

For example, it is used as a lip-color dispenser and has a dispensingsystem, for example using a screw. When it is not removable, thecontainer may be produced with the body of the dispenser. When it isremovable, it may constitute one output interface among others that canbe mounted on the dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture A to a mixture B severaltimes in succession. In the case of application by spraying, amultilayer application can thus be achieved, with different formulationsfor two superposed adjacent coats. Another mode makes it possible forexample to offer several preprogrammed successive mixtures, the computersystem each time indicating to the user how these should be used, forexample by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the personhas treated their face fully.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

Details about the Organic Solvents

Organic solvents are understood to be liquid carbon-based compounds orliquid silicone compounds or liquid salts (known as ionic liquids).

For example: Ethanol or other alcohols, acetone, alkyl acetates,alkylene carbonate, pentane, hexane, octane, decane, isododecane,hexadecane and other alkanes, dimethicones, dialkylimidazolium acetate,dialkylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, etc.

In one particular case, the solvent is gaseous at standard temperature,and liquid if it is held under pressure. In this case, the solvents maybe isopentane, butane or certain fluorinated compounds, the boilingpoint of which is close to room temperature (0-20° C.).

The solvents may be mixtures of the ingredients mentioned above.

The cartridges introduced into the system may contain a base productcontaining solvents or mixtures of different solvents.

Cartridges and Materials

According to this fourth aspect of the invention, the cartridges have abody and moving parts intended to push the product that the bodycontains.

The parts of the cartridge which are not involved in the precision ofmetering, such as the parts that conduct the composition to the outletorifice, and any exterior coverings, are not covered by the definitionsof the invention according to this fourth aspect in terms of the choiceof materials.

In order to obtain good precision of delivery (and thus in the creationof mixtures), the materials are preferably chosen from those listedbelow:

For the body of the cartridge and the moving parts, the plasticsselected are preferably:

-   -   Simple polyolefins    -   Polyvinylchloride (PVC)    -   Polyamide and semi-aromatic polyamide    -   Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)    -   Polybismaleimide

Less preferably:

-   -   Polyurethanes    -   Polyester    -   Polyepoxides    -   Polyether-block-amide    -   Polyacetal    -   Polyester    -   Polyetherketone    -   Polyetherimides (PEI)    -   Polyimides    -   Polyamide-imide (PAI)    -   Certain fluorinated polymers: FEP (perfluorinated ethylene        propylene), PFA (polyfluoroalkoxy), ECTFE (ethylene chloro        trifluoro ethylene), ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene)

The following are excluded:

-   -   Polystyrene and ABS    -   Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)    -   Phenoplasts,    -   Aminoplasts,    -   Polycarbonate    -   Polyphenyl oxide (PPO)    -   Polysulfones    -   PET

Polyolefins

These are polyethylenes of different densities that are produced withdifferent comonomers (other alkenes, in particular alpha-olefins(butene, hexene, octene or propylene) and/or vinyl acetate, vinylalcohol, acrylic esters). Their production is conventional for a personskilled in the art, employing polymerization conditions that result inhigh contents in the form of crystals. They are:

a) Very low density linear polyethylene (VLDPE). (density in the regionof 0.855 to 0.91 g/cm3).

b) High-pressure low density polyethylene (LDPE) (low densitypolyethylene) (density in the region of 0.915 to 0.935 g/cm3).

c) Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) (density in the region of0.91 to 0.93 g/cm3).

d) High and medium density polyethylenes (HDPE and MDPE) (density in theregion of 0.930 to 0.945 g/cm3 for the former and 0.945 to 0.970 g/cm3for the latter).

e) UHMW (ultra high molecular weight) polyethylenes (density in theregion of 0.94 g/cm3)

Preference is given to c, d and e for the invention, these giving thegreatest precision.

The polyolefins are also polypropylenes. Only the “isotactic” versionsare suitable (level of isotacticity at least 90%). They can be producedwith or without comonomer (ethylene). The copolymerized versions (PPCO)are known as block copolymers or random copolymers and employ around 1%to 30% ethylene.

It is also possible to use non-crystalline or low-crystallinitypolyolefins. In this case, a monomer of the vinyl chloride type is used.The polymer obtained (PVC) is of low crystallinity (in general <10%) buthigh density (1.4 g/cm3). The “plasticizer-free” form is preferablyused.

PE and PP are obtainable from numerous suppliers such as Basell, ExxonMobil, Arkema, Dow, etc.

PVCs are obtainable from numerous suppliers such as Shin Etsu, Solvay,Arkema, etc.

Polyamides

The following are usable:

The polyamides PAn (—CO—NH—R)n

-   -   a) PA6 (n=6)    -   b) PA 12 (n=12)

The polyamides PAnm (—CONHR1-NHCOR2) where R1=(CH2)n and R2=(CH2)m

-   -   c) PA66 (n and m=6)    -   d) PA610 (n=6 and m=10)    -   e) PA612 (n=6 and m=10)

Preference is given to b), d) and e).

Examples of PA6: Grilon from EMS, Minion from Dupont

Examples of PA66: Grilon T from EMS, Zytel from Dupont

Examples of PA610: Ultramid S from BASF

Examples of PA612: Vestamid D from Degussa

Polyphenylene Sulfides (-Ph-S-)n

Examples of PPS: Ryton from Chevron Phillips, Primet from Solvay

Polybismaleimide

Example of PBMI: Kinel from Neopreg

Implementation Process

Several implementation processes are possible to produce the partsaccording to the fourth aspect of the invention:

-   -   a) Injection in a mold    -   b) Machining

For practical reasons, a) is preferred.

Use for Treating One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, or the skin to betreated in order to care for it, protect it or perfume it, day afterday, with only the precise areas being treated. To this end, small dosesof product are delivered, and are applied specifically and sequentiallyto the corresponding areas. Each small dose is created using the mixturesuited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below. As an alternative, the dispensingsystem informs the person, when delivering a mixture, of the area towhich the person is to apply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing systemmay follow an application program in which it delivers, in a givenorder, the various mixtures that are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the color or the effect, the area of the faceand the quantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs andwastage of product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoidingocclusion effects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that havea high covering capability and provide too much cover to be applied tothe whole of the face. Thus, it is possible to obtain makeup results orother treatments of natural or even undetectable appearance.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

In the case of concealing products, the dispensing system is suited totreating the areas that are to be concealed, without having to concealthe entire face.

When the user is looking for the product to apply to an area of theface, it is advantageous to memorize the mixture (ratio between theproducts in the compartments) best suited to each area, and thedispensing system is thus advantageously designed to memorize theeffect, the ratios and the corresponding area. Thus, by using thememorized information, on each use, the same mixture can be deliveredfor each area or, if several areas are being treated, the same series ofmixtures can be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the effects application after application. Thus, theperson may make up her skin using different colors or perfume her skinwith different notes that she chooses on a day-by-day basis to suit hertastes. For example, on weekdays, the person applies a pale coloredfoundation, with a more tanned foundation color at the weekends, or mayhave eye makeup in one color one day and another color another day. Forexample, on weekdays, the person applies a given perfume, and at theweekend a different one.

The system is also designed to deliver touches depending on the resultof the application of different touches. Thus, if it is apparent to theuser that, following the application of several touches, there issomething missing for perfecting the result, the system can deliver, ondemand, a mixture for realizing a touch which will complete the result.

For example, in the case of the color, if the user applies ethanol-basedfoundations, given the speed of evaporation, it is possible for certainareas of the face to be colored less than others. The user could thenask the system for a mixture that is less concentrated in colorant inorder to complete the color in the areas lacking same.

Idem for perfumes. If the person applies a touch of perfume at onelocation and then another touch of (different) perfume to another area,the person may desire completing the olfactory impression by applying tothe same areas or to a different area another touch of (different)mixture.

The system is thus provided to propose variations and an interface fortranslating simple orders into the production of a mixture.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change theingredients to suit her tastes according to the day, the time, what sheis wearing, and the weather. Thus, a system to assist with decisionmaking is advantageously provided to guide the user in her choices ofeffects.

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing the effects onthe same face and contribute toward a successful overall treatment.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Graduated Treatment

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product.

This functionality is all the more important given that the speed ofdrying is rapid and limits the possibilities of spreading.

In addition, the outlet for the base products or for the mixture ismoved relative to a container or a support defining an applicationsurface. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensingsystem is designed to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves asa function of the color or the effect C1 of one area to be treated andof the color or the effect C2 of another area to be treated. Forexample, with the knowledge that the chin requires a color C1 and thatthe cheek requires a color C2, the dispensing system may vary theformulation of the mixture while it is delivering it in order tograduate the color between these two colors. This makes it possible forexample to better conceal imperfections of the face while ensuring thatthe end result is realistic, or allows color to be graduated forbeautifying purposes. The dispensing system may also be designed suchthat the user can command a variation in effect of the mixture dispensedwithout the start and/or end effects having been set beforehand. To dothat, the dispensing system may possess a location or auto-locationsystem and deduce from a look-up table the effects C1 and C2 that it hasto create and therefore the changes in the mixture that it has to make.

The fourth aspect of the invention is applicable to the color and tophotoprotection. The same concept is applicable to fragrancing products,in the case of which the user may wish to have perfume graduations. Forexample, he may create a perfume graduation along the neck in order toshare a richness of odor with an approaching person.

The invention is applicable to protective compositions. The person couldcreate graduations of protective indices, thereby creating, after beingexposed to the sun, a tanning result that is itself graduated.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products. In thiscase, the system is used with formulations that are rich in solidingredients and a relatively small quantity (less than 70% andpreferably less than 50%) of a light or heavy organic solvent.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,

yield a material that can crumble if rubbed.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition.

Preferably, one or more of the compositions introduced into the systemcontain oil. (at least 20% by mass).

These compositions may contain absorbent particles or reactivecompounds, such as those that react in contact with the air, for examplecyanoacrylate or alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notablyUV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

Creation of Color Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of colors suited to various parts ofthe face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

Creation of Other Palettes

The invention may be implemented to make odor palettes or care palettes(with care active agents) or protective palettes (with a UV screeningagent).

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a system for dispensing at least one makeup or care orprotective or fragrancing product, having a cup and a dispenser forfilling the cup with at least one product, the cup being secured to thedispenser at least while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the effect to be created, as described in detailbelow.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of substances and/orallow the preparation of several different mixtures intended fortreating respective areas of the face. The cups may be associated withidentifiers that remind the user of the area of the face for which amixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Preferably, the size and shape of the cupeither allow direct application of the mixture to the skin or allow themixture to be picked up on a finger or an applicator. The cup may bemade of an elastically deformable material, making it possible forexample to turn the concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out andempty it more easily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a makeup,perfuming, care or protective product, comprising the step of filling acup of a dispensing system as defined above with at least one baseproduct from the dispenser.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a dispensing system having a dispenser having outletpassages for base products and an outlet interface that is separablefrom the dispenser, this interface having a static blender thatpreferably delivers the mixture into a cavity where it can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

According to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to use severaloutlet interfaces and to fill them with different respective mixtures,without the need to purge the blender, thereby reducing losses ofproduct. The outlet interface may be a single-use interface, ifnecessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the color of themixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a system for dispensing a makeup or care or protective orfragrancing product, having a dispenser that receives at least twocartridges that each have a reservoir containing a base product, thelatter leaving the cartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge,this outlet passage opening to outside of the dispenser or near theexternal surface thereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the outside of the housingof the dispenser in the absence of an outlet interface. The mountingarea may be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks or care effects or protective effects orfragrancing effects easily and be able, if so desired, to treat areas asdifferent as the skin, the lips, the eyelashes or eyebrows, the neck,and the hair.

A subject of the invention is also a dispensing system comprising anassembly having a dispenser of at least one cosmetic product, inparticular a makeup, care, protective or fragrancing product, and atleast two outlet interfaces, each of which can be mounted removably onthe dispenser, these outlet interfaces being able to receive theproduct(s) delivered by the dispenser, preferably being chosen from thefollowing:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup or care or protective orfragrancing method involving the step of selecting an outlet interface,mounting it on the dispenser, and delivering the product(s) contained inthe dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing a color, odor, protection, care with an area, with recording.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of substance may be applied with a finger, usingconventional tools such as brushes, or using specialist applicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup or care orprotection or fragrancing.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriate color and/orcare and/or protection and/or odor.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same color or care or protection or odor is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies a color or care or protection orodor, then makes an assessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the color or care or protection or odor is suited. Themixture is then indexed in the computer system which attributes it tothe area(s) of the face for which it is suitable.

A subject of the invention is also a learning process for a dispensingsystem, comprising a dispenser for dispensing a variable mixture, and acomputer system for selecting an effect and for storing data, comprisingthe steps of:

a) selecting at least one effect with the aid of an interface of thecomputer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture inorder to approach the selected effect,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face, (visual, comfort, odor, touch)

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for treating said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup or care for their skin or protect their skin or perfumethemselves. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outlets toadvise people wishing to apply makeup or care for their skin or protecttheir skin or perfume themselves or at home in order to define correctlywhich products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the color of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for thereference of a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics ofthe mixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area,and to relay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user acolor or other effect and an area to be tested with a mixture of thiscolor or this effect.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one effect ofmixture in step a) depending on an application area of which it has beeninformed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of an effect of which it has been informedby the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two different mixtures,preferably separate, so that they can be applied simultaneously to thetest area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup or fragrancing or care orprotection method using a dispensing system according to this aspect ofthe invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposal for treating anassociated zone, on the basis of the learning performed beforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the proposedmixture, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one effect and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture        selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the mixture and of        an associated application area, notably with a view to        subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably on the same        area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need, notably using        an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least and/or one application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the proposed mixture, notably if        this is validated by the user.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup orcaring for or protecting their skin or perfuming themselves, notably inchoosing the correct colorings, olfactory notes or care or protectioneffects.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is thus a makeup or care or protection or fragrancing methodinvolving the steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the color, protective or care effect or odor of        a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image or comments to the        second site, so as to receive in return information relating to        the application result.

The same concept is applicable to the care or protection of the skin.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see or hear or read the comments aboutthe makeup or care or protection or fragrancing result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser to alter thecolor or care or protection or odor of the mixture and adapt it to bestsuit the face of the person present at the first site. Thus, this personcontrols the mixture delivered by the dispenser. The first person maymake herself up, or care for or protect her skin or perfume herselfunder the gaze of the second. The second person sees the result of thetest on their screen and can thus correct the mixture that this secondperson will control remotely until the ideal effect is obtained.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup or careor protection applied at the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the color of each ofthe base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup, care for or protect their skin or perfume themselves. Thisembodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists or “beautycoaches” or “perfume coaches” and their work, either within an instituteor over the Internet. It also allows people with limited capabilities,such as people with poor eyesight, or people who have difficultydiscerning colors, or the elderly, or those lacking in self-confidenceto apply makeup or protect or care for or perfume themselves.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the effects of the mixture dispensed.

A further subject of the invention is a dispensing system having adispenser and a computer system for operating the dispenser, thiscomputer system having a touch screen on which the color of the mixtureor the expected effect can be displayed, and a selection means movableon the screen, in order to vary the color or the protective or careeffect or the odor of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the screen displays end-point effects between which theeffect of the mixture can be selected by moving the selection meansbetween these end points.

The screen may display a scale of effects in the form of a line or area(triangular contour).

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired effect.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

According to another of its aspects, the invention seeks to improvestill further the dispensing systems having a spray system, preferablyan airbrush, and one subject of the invention is an assembly comprising:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent colors, or fragrancing, care and protection products.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate thecolor or the protective or care effect or perfume depending on theposition, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup or care or protection offragrancing method using an assembly as defined above, in which amixture is sprayed onto the skin using the spray means, notably theairbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the color of the mixture dispensed while theface is being treated, notably as the area to be treated changes.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.001 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

The dispensing system may be of the kind illustrated in theabove-described figures, respecting the choice of materials according tothe fourth aspect of the invention, notably for all the parts that moverelative to one another.

Therefore, the figures will not all be described again, it beingunderstood that the dispensing system is not limited to one makeupproduct and is intended to dispense care products, anti sun products orperfumes.

Thus, as regards the description of the user interface, the buttonspresent on the screen may make it possible for example to input the nameof the makeup or care or protection or perfume or of the user, todisplay the selected area, to choose the color or care or protection orodor, and to inform the computer system as to whether or not the resultof the test carried out is acceptable, or even, as illustrated, toprovide information regarding the assessment of the result relative to atest carried out previously, namely, for example, better or “not asgood”. The screen may also display a button allowing the choice of acolor, protection, care or odor and an area to be memorized after a testhas been performed on the area in question.

The choice of color or protection or care or odor is made for examplewith a scale similar to the one described with reference to FIG. 36.

The computer system is designed to memorize the data in the form of alook-up table for example, so as to associate an area of the face withthe parameters that allow the mixture dispensed during the test to bereproduced. These parameters include, for example, the relative contentsof each of the base products of the dispenser in the mixture, thequantity Q dispensed, and additional data such as, for example, the nameof the area, the date the mixture was dispensed and/or any other mixtureidentifier, identifiers of the base products, the period of the year,notably the season, the age of the user, his or her sex, his or hergiven or family name, the name of an event associated with the makeup,protection, care or fragrancing, for example a birthday, amongst otherdata, and the quantity of product suitable for the area. The ancillarydata may allow the user to reproduce more easily an effect consideredsuitable for a time of year or recalling a life event, or to give arejuvenating effect.

These data may be memorized in the computer system 100, for example inthe abovementioned device and/or on a remote server with which thedevice is in communication, or alternatively in an electronic memoryincorporated into the dispenser 11.

Thus, according to the invention, the user may make the dispenserdeliver a first substance, and apply it to a first area of the face,then judge whether or not it is suitable. If the result is satisfactory,the user may record it, indexing it to the area; if the result isunsatisfactory, the user may command a new substance in order to repeatthe above operations.

The computer system can be used in this context in various ways.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 40, in a step 1010, the user selectsa color or care or protection or odor to test, using for example thescale 1011 displayed on the screen, by moving the adjusting button 1012.

Next, the choice is transmitted to the dispenser 11, in step 1015.

For example, the device transmits the quantities of each of the baseproducts to be dispensed and the electronic circuit 81 takes charge ofoperating the motors accordingly.

In step 1016, the user presses the control button 12 of the dispenser11, this causing, for example, a dose of the mixture, in the color orcare effect, protective effect or odor selected by the user, to bedispensed.

The mixture is, for example, dispensed into the cup 115 then picked upand applied by the user to the cheeks or any other area instructed onthe interface, in step 1020.

In variants, the product is applied using an airbrush or by any othermeans as described above.

The user then, in step 1022, informs the computer system of the resultusing the buttons 1021.

If the user indicates that the result is satisfactory, the systemsuggests for example that he/she validate the parameters of the testusing a button so as to memorize these parameters in step 1031.

If the user does not consider the result to be satisfactory and makesthis known using the button 1032, the result can nevertheless beautomatically saved in step 1034.

Thus, each area can be indexed not only with the suitable color(s) orcare(s) or protection(s) or odor(s), but also with the color(s) orcare(s) or protection(s) or odor(s) that is/are not at all suited tothis area.

The user can then perform a further test on the same area by returningto step 1010.

If the user is satisfied with the result, he or she may also wish tocarry out a further test, for example on a different area of the face.

If appropriate, if the user is not satisfied, the interface may suggestthat the user indicate whether the result is considered better than ornot as good as the previous test, using corresponding buttons 1040 and1041.

In that case, the computer system may be designed to determine whether,in light of the information input by the user, a proposal can beautomatically made as to what color or care or protection or odor totest next.

If appropriate, a questionnaire may be displayed to assist the computersystem in proposing a color or care or protection or odor in light ofthe tests carried out and the way in which the user or a professionalassisting the user has assessed these tests.

For example, if the color is considered “unsuitable”, the system mayreceive from the user additional information, for example “too light”,which will assist the system in proposing a new color better suited tothe user's expectations.

It may be advantageous for the computer system to be able to receiveinformation comparing the result against the previous tests, for example“it's better” or “it's not as good” and, from there, for the system tobe capable of deducing what new color or care or protection or odor topropose.

Another option is for the computer system to be able to receivecomparison information regarding a comparison against a target, forexample “it's almost ideal” and, from there, for the system to becapable of automatically adjusting its color or care or protection orodor modifications.

In this particular instance, if it receives the information that thedesired result has almost been achieved, the system can adopt smalllevels of color or care or protection or odor change and revise thescale of adjustment accordingly.

If the dispensing system itself proposes the colored mixtures to betested, these may be based on preprogrammed test scenarios and thesystem may alter how the scenario is followed through according to thesuccesses or failures of the assessment. Thus, for example if, from thethird application of product, it receives information that the color orcare or protection or odor is almost ideal for the user, the dispensingsystem may exit the program and thereafter allow itself to be guided byinstructions from the operator.

In general, the user may be assisted by an expert system in the choiceof colors or cares or protections or odors to test.

This expert system is, for example, a program run on the device withwhich the dispenser communicates or on the dispenser itself, and whichis based on the answers to a questionnaire and/or on measurements, forexample of the color of the skin, taken by a specific sensor or by acamera. The user can thus get assistance from an instrumentedevaluation, for example a color, image or odor sensor. The expert systemcan even be implemented on a remote server with which the device or thedispenser exchanges information. The operator may even send an image ofhis or her face to a specialist, who can preprogram the starting coloror care or protection or odor choice. In another exemplary embodiment,the user presents the computer system with a photo of his or her face,and the computer system is designed to analyze this and create a programdefining the areas to be tested and the first products to be delivered,both in terms of color, care, protection and odor and in terms ofquantity. For example, the computer system may be designed toautomatically select the colors, cares, protection or odor to propose tothe user by capturing a photograph in step 1070, as illustrated in FIG.42. For example, the device which communicates with the dispenser 11 isequipped with a camera, and the user takes a photograph of his or herface. The image is then analyzed in step 1071, and colors color or careor protection or odor are proposed for each area of the face in step1072, for example in accordance with predefined color combination rules.

The dispensing system may be oriented by the user to decide on the colorcolor or care or protection or odor and also on the quantity of productto be delivered. For example, the user may indicate “nose” or “blemish”and the dispensing system is designed to adapt the dose dispensedaccording to a memorized map of doses to be dispensed depending on theareas to be treated.

The computer system may guide the user in the choice of colors or careor protection or odor of the mixture to be tested, so as to limit thenumber of tests needed until the user obtains a result that pleases himor her.

It is thus possible, as illustrated in FIG. 41, that after a mixturedispensed by the dispenser has been applied to a given area of the facein step 1060, the computer system will ask the user whether or not theresult is satisfactory and will, of its own accord, if the result isconsidered to be unsatisfactory, make a change 1061 to the dispenserparameters in order to modify the mixture dispensed.

The user then only has to perform a new test with the modified mixture.

When a mixture is indicated as being satisfactory, the computer systemcan memorize the corresponding parameters so as to allow the mixture tobe recreated at a later date.

The system can then begin the above steps afresh for a new applicationarea.

During the successive tests, the operator does not need to treat theentire face. He or she may for example choose between 3 and 8, forexample 5, small areas. The dispensing system is then advantageouslydesigned to interpolate and/or extrapolate the data regarding the colorsor cares or protections or odors considered to be suitable, so as tocalculate the colors that ought to be considered suitable for areas forwhich the exercise has not been conducted.

At the end of the learning stage, the system may generate a display ofthe suitable colors or cares or protections or odors on the variousareas, tested or calculated.

The dispensing system may be designed to indicate whether certain colorsor cares or protections or odors appear to be incorrect, doing so on thestrength of a comparison against standard maps it has in memory. Thus,it may propose that the user repeat all or some of the mapping exercise.

Once the computer system has completed its learning, i.e. once thecolors or cares or protections or odors of mixtures have been identifiedas being agreeable to the user for making-up certain areas, the userwishing to apply makeup or to care for or protect or perfume themselvesonly has to call up the area that is to be treated, in step 1080 of FIG.43, and the system will be able to automatically propose a suitablemixture color or care or protection or odor to the user in step 1081.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 44, the user selects a color or careor protection or odor in step 1090 and the computer system proposes, instep 1091, an area in which to apply a mixture of this color or care orprotection or odor, on the basis of information previously collected onthe basis of the tests performed.

The area proposed is, for example, the area in which an identical orvery similar color or care or protection or odor has already beenapplied and the result considered acceptable by the user.

FIG. 46 illustrates an example of an implementation of the invention inwhich, having carried out tests on various zones in step 2010, the userinforms the system of the mixture(s) he or she considers to afford thebest result, this allowing the system to know the correspondingparameters in step 2012. Next, in step 2014, the system may propose tothe user references of commercial products that have the same propertiesor very similar properties.

In one variant, the system sends the parameters to a remotemanufacturing center so that a composition that has the same formulationor the same properties as that of the mixture that the user has testedand found to be satisfactory can be produced.

FIG. 45 illustrates the possibility of using the dispenser to dispenseseveral doses 2020 a to 2020 d of different mixtures, next to oneanother on a support 2021, so as to allow these to be applied toadjacent distinct regions of the same area.

The user can, in a single hit, apply a series of colors or cares orprotections or odors in order rapidly to home in on the appropriatecolor or care or protection or odor. The substances present on thesupport 2021 may have been chosen by the operator him- or herself orproposed by the dispensing system.

The support 2021 is, for example, able to move with respect to thehousing of the dispenser and is moved sequentially to deposit thecorresponding mixtures in the various zones 2020 a to 2020 d, being forexample similar to the supports described with reference to FIG. 29 or29A. The user can thus easily compare the results between the variousregions and inform the system of which mixture produces the best effect.

FIG. 47 illustrates a system that assists the user in treating his orher face, notably in choosing the correct color or care or protection orodor.

This system makes it possible to establish a video link, for exampleover the Internet, between a camera 2060 at a first site 2061 and asecond site 2062.

The camera 2060 is, for example, built into a tablet or a smartphonethat constitutes the computer system 100.

The second site 2062 is allowed to operate the dispenser 11 present atthe first site 2061 either directly or indirectly.

Thus, the person present at the first site can apply the mixturedispensed and send to the second site 2062 a corresponding image, and inreturn receive information relating to the result.

The second site 2062 may have a display screen 2064 that allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the result or understand, via thecomments, the result with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser andadvise the person. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser 11to alter the color, care, protection or odor of the mixture and adapt itto best suit the face of the person present at the first site. Theprotocol for the exchange of data between the two sites thus allowscommand instructions to be sent to the dispenser 11, either directly orvia the computer system 100 present at the first site. Thus, the personpresent at the second site controls the mixture delivered by thedispenser 11. The first person may make herself up, or care for orprotect or perfume herself under the gaze of the second. The secondperson sees the result of the test on their screen and can thus correctthe mixture that this second person will control remotely until theideal treatment is obtained.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link, suchthat the user present at the first site can see an image of the adviseron the screen of the computer system. This adviser can send the userpresent at the first site a tutorial if need be.

The memorizing of the setting parameters of the dispenser 11, once agiven mixture has been considered satisfactory, may be commanded fromthe second site.

The interface may be used to define makeup or care or protection or odorprograms in which the order of the areas to be treated or the order ofthe products to propose is defined.

EXAMPLES

A dispenser 11 of the kind illustrated in FIG. 3 and described above inconnection with the three first aspects of the invention is created.

In order to illustrate the fourth aspect of the invention, severalmaterials were investigated for the body part and the moving parts.

MDPE (Dow)

HDPE (Dow)

Polyacetal (POM)

PET

Apart from the polyacetal, created by machining, the others are createdby injection.

Example 1 (Fourth Aspect of the Invention)

A set of three base products are created (the proportions are by mass)

F1: Anethole 6% (aniseed odor) Water 5% Absolute ethanol qs 100 F2:Phenylethyl ethanol 6% (rose odor) Water 5% Absolute ethanol qs  100:F3: Jaguar HP 60 2% Water qs 100% 

Test 1

The three base products were placed in three cartridges with:

F1 in a cartridge made of HDPE

F2 in a cartridge made of HDPE

F3 in a cartridge made of PET

The three cartridges were placed in the three compartments C1, C2 andC3.

Next, at t=0, a first mixture M0 with the following volumetricproportions was created: C1 30%, C2 30%, C3 40%.

Next, at t=1j, a second mixture M1 with the same ratios was created.

Next, at t=30j, a third mixture M30 with the same ratios was created.

Finally, a mixture M with the same compositions and the same ratios wascreated by hand (balance of precision).

Next, the mixtures were presented to experts.

The mixtures created M0, M1 and M30 were satisfactory since they weresimilar in olfactory terms to the mixture M (a mixture of rose andaniseed).

The result obtained with POM was still acceptable at t=1j. The resultobtained with PS was unacceptable since virtually no perfume (comparedwith M) could be smelled.

Test 2

The compositions F1 and F3 were reversed by changing cartridge.

Thus, the three formulations were placed in three cartridges with:

F1 in a cartridge made of PET

F2 in a cartridge made of HDPE

F3 in a cartridge made of HDPE

The three cartridges were placed in the three compartments C1, C2 andC3.

Next, as before, a first mixture M0 was created at t=0: C1 30%, C2 30%,C3 40%.

Next, at t=1j, a second mixture M1 with the same ratios was created.

Next, at t=30j, a third mixture M30 with the same ratios was created.

Finally, a mixture M with the same compositions and the same ratios wascreated by hand (balance of precision).

Next, the mixtures were presented to experts.

The mixture created M0 was satisfactory since it was similar inolfactory terms to the mixture M (a mixture of rose and aniseed). Theothers (M1 and M30) were not satisfactory since they were different inolfactory terms (the results did not contain the aniseed aspect).

Test 3

F1 was introduced into a cartridge made of POM.

Thus, the three formulations were placed in three cartridges with:

F1 in a cartridge made of POM

F2 in a cartridge made of HDPE

F3 in a cartridge made of PET

The three cartridges were placed in the three compartments C1, C2 andC3.

Next, as before, a first mixture M0 was created at t=0: C1 30%, C2 30%,C3 40%.

Next, at t=1j, a second mixture M1 with the same ratios was created.

Next, at t=30j, a third mixture M30 with the same ratios was created.

Finally, a mixture M with the same compositions and the same ratios wascreated by hand (balance of precision).

Next, the mixtures were presented to experts.

The mixtures created M0 and M1 were satisfactory since they were similarin olfactory terms to the mixture M (a mixture of rose and aniseed). Thelast (M30) was not satisfactory since it was different in olfactoryterms (the results did not contain the aniseed aspect).

Example 2 (Fourth Aspect of the Invention)

The configuration in example 1, test 1 was recreated.

Perfume experts were asked to choose their ideal mixture.

For that, each attempted several mixtures, varying the contents of C1,C2 and C3, in order to change the odor and the strength of the perfume.Each time, they produced 100 mg of composition, which they tested byolfactory assessment as per their taste.

They selected three mixtures which they stored in the system.

Each day, they could use these three mixtures as desired at theparticular time. For that, they chose the quantities to be delivered.The system was sufficiently precise to be able to release particularlysmall doses while respecting the odor of the mixture created. (to 20 mg)

Example 3 (Fourth Aspect of the Invention)

A set of three compositions was created:

F1: Curcumin 0.5% (orange color) Sunflower plant oil qs 100 F2: Solventred 27 0.5% (brick red color) Sunflower plant oil qs  100: F3: Sunflowerplant oil

Test 1

The three formulations were placed in three cartridges with:

F1 in a cartridge made of MDPE

F2 in a cartridge made of MDPE

F3 in a cartridge made of MDPE

The three cartridges were placed in the three compartments C1, C2 andC3.

At t=0, an expert used a first mixture M0: C1 20%, C2 0%, C3 80%.

Next, he applied this mixture, by touches of 100 mg, to the face of aperson with dark skin.

This was followed by completion by delivering a second mixture P0: C120%, C2 20%, C3 60% to be applied to the cheeks.

This was followed by completion by delivering a third mixture Q0: C120%, C2 60%, C3 20% to be applied to the eyelids.

Once having left the expert with the system and the instructions, theperson reproduced at her home the same applications once a month. Amatching result was obtained.

Test 2

This consisted in carrying out the same operation using othercartridges:

F1 in a cartridge made of MDPE

F2 in a cartridge made of PET

F3 in a cartridge made of MDPE

The test was the same as in example 3, test 1.

After 1 month, the result matched, but after 2 months, the result didnot match (orange color in the three areas).

Example 4 (Fourth Aspect of the Invention)

The configuration in example 2, test 1 was recreated.

A person was asked to find the color that suited her best for making upher lips.

For that, she attempted several mixtures, varying the contents of C1, C2and C3, in order to change the color and the strength of the color. Eachtime, 100 mg of composition were created, and were tested by colorassessment on the back of the hand.

They selected a mixture which they stored in the system.

They were able to use their mixture each day.

Example 5 (Fourth Aspect of the Invention)

A set of three compositions was created:

F1: Curcumin 2% (orange color) Isopropyl myristate qs 100% F2: Ethanol100% F3: Isopropyl myristate 100%

The three formulations were placed in three cartridges with:

F1 in a cartridge made of HDPE

F2 in a cartridge made of HDPE

F3 in a cartridge made of HDPE

The three cartridges were placed in the three compartments C1, C2 andC3.

At t=0, an expert used a first mixture M0: C1 10%, C2 0%, C3 90%.

Next, it was applied to the face of a person.

The next day, the expert asked the person about the comfort she hadfelt.

She raised the content of C2 by 10 points at the expense of C3 and so onuntil the mixture that produced the best comfort from area to area wasfound.

Next, she varied the content of C1 until the best color intensity wasfound.

She finished by finding the most suitable mixture for each area.

The person was able to start with the system and apply her mixtures areaby area.

E) System for Adjusting the Level of Coverage of a Foundation withoutAffecting the Level of Mattness/Shine

In the case of marked skin, most of the time, the areas of skin that aremarked make up only a small proportion of the surface of the face. Inorder to treat these areas of skin, it is usual to use either a productthat covers highly (but entails concealing effect defects) or a productthat covers little (but has the drawback of leaving the marks visible).It is possible to use several products with different covering effects,but these generally have different levels of shine/mattness, making themakeup highly visible. (and can make the marked areas stand out).

A solution is required for giving access to an entire range of coveringlevels, which can be applied to one and the same face without thedifferences being detectable.

There are very few solutions for solving these problems.

A first approach is to buy numerous products and try them all out. Thisapproach is costly and often gives rise to waste insofar as only a smallnumber of the colored substances tried are generally kept.

A second approach is to test out various products in store. That is notalways suitable, because it is very difficult to get a feeling for theresults in just a few moments and at a location missing the usuallandmarks. In particular, in order to fully assess the makeup effect instore, it would be necessary to be able to have the same lighting aswill be found in future conditions of use, and this is something that israrely possible. In general, it is only by testing out makeup over thecourse of a day that one can determine whether or not it is suitable. Inaddition, while certain stores have advisers and allow testing, this isnot the case for a large number of other sales outlets and Internetsales.

Another approach has been tested but not developed. This consists increating one's products by hand by mixing several colored products. Thismay prove relatively difficult to do because it is not very easy toreproduce the same mixture exactly a number of times over, and it isawkward to quickly create the mixtures one needs at the moment ofapplying the makeup.

Of the tests that have been able to be attempted for automating themanufacture of a customized cosmetic composition, many are those inwhich the proposed solutions allow mixtures to be created in quantitiesof around 100 g or sometimes less, but not in the very small proportionsgenerally needed by a person applying makeup, namely in the region ofone gram or much less.

In order to illustrate this problem, consider the case of somebodywishing to hide two imperfections in the region of one cm2 on her face.For the first area, she needs to find the corresponding mixture, thendeliver a very small quantity, for example around 10 mg, thereof. Forthe second, she needs to change the setting of the dispenser, then, onceagain, deliver a very small quantity.

Therefore, for a great many people, choosing the colored substances thatwill yield the best results remains a difficult matter.

There is therefore a need to make searching for a makeup product thatmeets the expectations of a consumer and that allows this consumer tocreate mixtures under reliable conditions and in various quantitieseasier.

There is also a need to apply several products with different concealingcapacities to the same face. In particular, people can have areas of theface that are marked to a greater or lesser extent and thus requiredifferent concealing strengths. It is therefore advantageous to be ableto have a means for producing concealing formulations with differentconcealing strengths.

The production of concealing products by mixing presents a significantproblem. Since they are based on particulate ingredients (pigments,nacres), mixtures are thus obtained which, depending on the level ofconcealing chosen (and thus the quantity of particulate ingredients)confer different mattness/shine aspects on the skin.

There is therefore a need to improve the dispensing systems fordelivering products of variable color while retaining the same level ofmattness/shine, in order notably to make these easier to use and improvethe quality of the makeup.

According to its fifth aspect, the invention is based upon a dispensingsystem that allows mixtures to be generated from base products. Thesebase products may be of different colors, such that the color of themixture can be varied. The base products may even make it possible tovary the coverage of the mixture, such that the color resulting fromapplying the mixture to human keratin materials varies, being fairlyclose to that of said materials. The base products may also vary thecolor and the coverage. Thus, the idea of color is to be understood in abroad sense and encompasses mixtures of which the color varies afterapplication as a result of variations in their level of coverage and inthe color of the underlying skin.

According to a fifth of its aspects, the subject of the presentinvention is a system for dispensing a product, comprising a dispenserthat receives at least two cartridges that each have a reservoircontaining first and second base products, respectively, the first baseproduct comprising a pigment, the second base product comprising afiller distinct from the pigment of the first base product, thedispenser making it possible to deliver at least these two base productsin adjustable proportions.

The invention according to this fifth aspect may also have one or moreof the following features:

-   -   the particle size D50 by volume of the filler is between 100 nm        and 1 mm, better still between 1 micron and 100 microns, even        better still between 2 microns and 50 microns,    -   the particle size D50 by volume of the pigment is between 100 nm        and 25 microns, better still between 200 nm and 10 microns,    -   the pigment may be chosen from mineral pigments, and preferably        hydrophobic modified mineral pigments, notably those of iron        oxide or titanium oxide,    -   the pigment may have a coating comprising at least one        lipophilic or hydrophobic compound,    -   the filler may be chosen from talc, mica, silica, kaolin,        poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylene powder,        tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, nylon powders, polymethyl        methacrylate powders, lauroyllysine, starch, boron nitride,        hollow polymer microspheres such as those of polyvinylidene        chloride/acrylonitrile, acrylic acid copolymer microspheres,        silicone resin microbeads, polyorganosiloxane elastomer        particles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,        magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate,        aluminum oxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow        silica microspheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules, the        particles that are in the form of hollow sphere portions, and        mixtures thereof, preferably being talc or mica,    -   the filler may have a coating comprising at least one lipophilic        or hydrophobic compound,    -   the first base product and the second base product may comprise        an inverse emulsion,    -   the mass content of pigment in the first base product may be        greater than or equal to 5% and preferably greater than 10%    -   the mass content of filler in the second base product may be        greater than or equal to 0.5%, preferably greater than 1%    -   the system may comprise a third cartridge with a third base        product,    -   the cartridges may be received in a removable manner in the        dispenser, each product may leave the cartridge through an        outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passage being        defined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end        piece being driven in rotation relative to a body of the        cartridge by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in order to        dispense the base product contained in the cartridge.

According to this fifth aspect of the invention, a subject thereof isalso a method for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product tohuman keratin materials, comprising the setting of the dispenserdepending on the area to be treated, and the dispensing of the productby base products being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

Therefore, according to this fifth aspect, the invention is based on adispensing system, compartments containing at least two different baseproducts which contain (the two) particulate ingredients chosen tocreate a concealing effect. These formulations preferably contain aninverse emulsion that has a pigment concentration for the one part and afiller concentration for the other. Thus, by creating mixtures, theshine and mattness do not change. It is thus possible to vary the levelof coverage while retaining the same appearance. The system may beprogrammed to deliver, for each location on the face, the best coveringmixture (neither too much nor too little). The overall appearance willnot make it possible to tell that the face has been treated withdifferent levels of coverage. The system may also be used to vary thelevel of coverage as desired and depending on the time, for example morecovering for an evening, lighter for the daytime.

Dispensing System

The dispensing system may consist of a single device operatingautonomously, preferably able to be manipulated in one hand, or of adevice that operates in interaction with other components or devices. Itmay for example entail various outlet interfaces which are mounted onthe dispenser depending on the type of makeup to be created, as will bespecified below. It may also entail a computer system which exchangesinformation with the dispenser in order to operate the latter, thiscomputer system comprising, for example, a portable terminal such as asmartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a dedicatedterminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s. Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20and 100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thuspossible to easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensingsystem is therefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, forcovering an area of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to one aspect thereof, isa dispensing system comprising a dispenser having a housing, and atleast one cartridge received in the housing of the dispenser, thiscartridge having a body and a piston capable of moving in the body, thehousing comprising a motorized drive mechanism for moving the piston ofthe cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the shade, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the shade to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severalbase products of different colors.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is dispensed whilethe other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped. Such a dispensing system is especiallysuited to liners, glosses and other formulations applied without directcontact with the hands. This container may be removable.

For example, it is used as a lip-color dispenser and has a dispensingsystem, for example using a screw. When it is not removable, thecontainer may be produced with the body of the dispenser. When it isremovable, it may constitute one output interface among others that canbe mounted on the dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture

A to a mixture B several times in succession. In the case of applicationby spraying, a multilayer application can thus be achieved, withdifferent formulations for two superposed adjacent coats. Another modemakes it possible for example to offer several preprogrammed successivemixtures, the computer system each time indicating to the user how theseshould be used, for example by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the person isfully made up.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

Particulate Ingredients

The particulate ingredients are typically particles with a size ofbetween 100 nm and 1 mm, better still between 200 nm and 100 microns,even better still between 200 nm and 50 microns.

Within the meaning of the invention, the “size” of a particle isunderstood to be the D50 volume average size, which corresponds to theparticle size defined such that 50% by volume of the particles have asize less than D50.

The volume average size may be assessed by light diffraction using aMalvern MasterSizer laser particle size analyzer, said particles to beevaluated being dispersed in a liquid medium, for instance octyldodecylneopentanoate.

The particulate ingredients are pigments and fillers:

Pigments

The term “pigments” is understood to mean white or colored, mineral ororganic particles, which are insoluble in an aqueous medium, and whichare intended to color and/or opacify the resulting composition and/orfilm. These pigments may be white or colored, and mineral and/ororganic.

According to one embodiment, the size of the pigment particles accordingto the invention is between 100 nm and 25 μm, preferably between 200 nmand 10 μm.

The pigments used according to the invention are chosen preferably frommineral pigments, and preferably from hydrophobic modified mineralpigments.

The hydrophobic modified mineral pigments are more particularlyhydrophobic modified pigments of iron oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

The composition according to the invention comprises advantageously atleast one pigment coated with at least one lipophilic or hydrophobiccompound.

The coating may also comprise at least one additional non-lipophiliccompound.

Within the meaning of the invention, the “coating” of a pigmentaccording to the invention generally denotes the total or partialsurface treatment of the pigment with a surface agent, absorbed,adsorbed or grafted onto said pigment.

The surface-treated pigments may be prepared according to surfacetreatment techniques of chemical, electronic, mechanochemical ormechanical nature that are well known to a person skilled in the art.Commercial products may also be used.

The surface agent may be absorbed, adsorbed or grafted onto the pigmentsby evaporation of solvent, chemical reaction and creation of a covalentbond.

According to one variant, the surface treatment is constituted of acoating of the pigments.

The coating may be realized, for example, by adsorption of a liquidsurface agent onto the surface of the solid particles by simple mixingwith stirring of the particles and of said surface agent, optionallywith heating, prior to the incorporation of the particles into the otheringredients of the makeup or care composition.

The coating may be realized, for example, by chemical reaction of asurface agent with the surface of the solid pigment particles andcreation of a covalent bond between the surface agent and the particles.This method is notably described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,266.

The chemical surface treatment may consist in diluting the surface agentin a volatile solvent, dispersing the pigments in this mixture and thenslowly evaporating off the volatile solvent, so that the surface agentis deposited at the surface of the pigments.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the pigments maybe coated according to the invention with at least one compound chosenfrom silicone surface agents; fluoro surface agents; fluorosiliconesurface agents; metal soaps; N-acylamino acids or salts thereof;lecithin and derivatives thereof; isopropyl triisostearyl titanate;isostearyl sebacate; natural plant or animal waxes; polar syntheticwaxes; fatty esters; phospholipids; and mixtures thereof.

According to one particular embodiment, the pigments may be coated withat least one compound chosen from N-acylamino acids or salts thereof,isopropyl triisostearyl titanate; silicone surface agents; natural plantor animal waxes; hydrogenated lecithin, fatty esters; and mixturesthereof.

According to a more particularly preferred embodiment, the pigments maybe coated with an N-acylamino acid and/or a salt thereof, in particularwith a glutamic acid derivative and/or a salt thereof, especially astearoyl glutamate, for instance aluminum stearoyl glutamate.

According to one more particularly preferred embodiment, use will bemade of hydrophobic coated pigments chosen from titanium dioxides andiron oxides coated with aluminum stearoyl glutamate, sold, for example,under the reference NAT® by Miyoshi Kasei.

Fillers

These fillers are colorless or white solid particles of any form, whichare in a form that is insoluble and dispersed in the medium of thecomposition.

As illustrations of these fillers, mention may be made of talc, mica,silica, kaolin, poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylene powder,tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders (Teflon®), nylon powders, polymethylmethacrylate powders, lauroyllysine, starch, boron nitride, hollowpolymer microspheres such as those of polyvinylidenechloride/acrylonitrile, for instance Expancel® (Nobel Industrie),acrylic acid copolymer microspheres, silicone resin microbeads (forexample Tospearls® from Toshiba), polyorganosiloxane elastomerparticles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate, aluminumoxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow silicamicrospheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules. Use may also be madeof particles that are in the form of hollow sphere portions, asdescribed in the patent applications JP-2003 128 788 and JP-2000 191789.

The fillers may have a coating comprising at least one lipophilic orhydrophobic compound.

The coating may be realized, for example, by adsorption of a liquidsurface agent onto the surface of the solid particles by simple mixingwith stirring of the particles and of said surface agent, optionallywith heating, prior to the incorporation of the particles into the otheringredients of the makeup or care composition.

The coating may be realized, for example, by chemical reaction of asurface agent with the surface of the solid filler particles andcreation of a covalent bond between the surface agent and the particles.

The chemical surface treatment may consist in diluting the surface agentin a volatile solvent, dispersing the pigments in this mixture and thenslowly evaporating off the volatile solvent, so that the surface agentis deposited at the surface of the fillers.

According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the fillers maybe coated according to the invention with at least one compound chosenfrom silicone surface agents; fluoro surface agents; fluorosiliconesurface agents; metal soaps; N-acylamino acids or salts thereof;lecithin and derivatives thereof; isopropyl triisostearyl titanate;isostearyl sebacate; natural plant or animal waxes; polar syntheticwaxes; fatty esters; phospholipids; and mixtures thereof.

According to one particular embodiment, the fillers may be coated withat least one compound chosen from N-acylamino acids or salts thereof,isopropyl triisostearyl titanate;

silicone surface agents; natural plant or animal waxes; hydrogenatedlecithin, fatty esters; and mixtures thereof.

According to a more particularly preferred embodiment, the fillers maybe coated with an N-acylamino acid and/or a salt thereof, in particularwith a glutamic acid derivative and/or a salt thereof, especially astearoyl glutamate, for instance aluminum stearoyl glutamate.

According to one more particularly preferred embodiment, use will bemade of hydrophobic coated fillers chosen from talc and mica coated withaluminum stearoyl glutamate, sold, for example, under the reference NAT®by Miyoshi Kasei.

Inverse Emulsions/Anhydrous Compositions

According to the invention, when a composition is said to be in the formof an inverse emulsion, it will be understood that it can alsoalternately be in another form depending on the composition in question.

A base product may be in the form of an emulsion, for example an O/W,W/O, O/W/O or W/O/W emulsion, and preferably a W/O inverse emulsion, orin the form of an anhydrous composition, comprising notably carbon-basedcompounds and/or silicone compounds, such as hydrocarbon-based oilsand/or silicone oils.

The emulsions according to the invention are preferably water-in-oil(W/O) emulsions, also known as inverse emulsions, namely constituted ofan oily continuous phase in which the aqueous phase is dispersed in theform of droplets so as to observe a mixture that is macroscopicallyhomogeneous to the naked eye.

Use for Making Up One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, day after day, withonly the areas that need to be hidden being treated. To this end, smalldoses of makeup are delivered, and are applied specifically andsequentially to the corresponding areas. Each small dose is createdusing the mixture suited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below. As an alternative, the dispensingsystem informs the person, when delivering a mixture, of the area towhich the person is to apply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing systemmay follow an application program in which it delivers, in a givenorder, the various mixtures that are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the color, the area of the face and thequantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and wastageof product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoiding occlusioneffects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that have a highcovering capability and provide too much cover to be applied to thewhole of the face. Thus, it is possible to obtain makeup of natural oreven undetectable appearance.

The system thus makes it possible to carry out localized applications,specifically making it possible to obtain the same level ofmattness/shine.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

The dispensing system is suited to treating the areas that are to beconcealed, without having to conceal the entire face.

It may also be used to conceal one or more marks, with a single level ofmattness/shine.

In an especially advantageous variant, the system may be used to applyto the base of the face a formulation that is less concealing and thenone or two applications to precise areas of the face of formulationsthat are more concealing. It is also possible to start with applicationsto the precise areas of the face of concealing formulations and then toapply to the base of the face an application of a formulation that isless concealing.

In the second case, time is taken, before applying the second layer, towait for the film produced by the application to the precise areas tobecome sufficiently cohesive so that the second layer does not removethe first layer.

Alternatively, the second layer is applied without rubbing (spray forexample, or sponge).

When the user is looking for the color to apply to an area of the face,it is advantageous to memorize the color best suited to each area, andthe dispensing system is thus advantageously designed to memorize thiscolor and the corresponding area. Thus, by using the memorizedinformation, on each use, the same mixture can be delivered for eacharea or, if several areas are being treated, the same series of mixturescan be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the colors application after application. Thus, theperson may make up her lips using different colors that she chooses on aday-by-day basis to suit her tastes. This approach is also suitable forthe eyelids or eyelashes, and for face makeup because the person mayfancy a change of foundation color. For example, on weekdays, the personapplies a pale colored foundation, with a more tanned foundation colorat the weekends, or may have eye makeup in one color one day and anothercolor another day. Idem for variations in coverage.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change colorto suit her tastes according to the day, the time, what she is wearing,and the weather. Thus, a system to assist with decision making isadvantageously provided to guide the user in her choices of color(broadly speaking).

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing the colors onthe same face and to contribute toward a successful overall makeup look.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Graduated Makeup

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product. In addition, the outletfor the base products or for the mixture is moved relative to acontainer or a support defining an application surface. In oneparticular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isdesigned to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves as a functionof the color C1 of one area to be treated and of the color C2 of anotherarea to be treated. For example, with the knowledge that the chinrequires a color C1 and that the cheek requires a color C2, thedispensing system may vary the formulation of the mixture while it isdelivering it in order to graduate the color between these two colors.This makes it possible for example to better conceal imperfections ofthe face while ensuring that the end result is realistic, or allowscolor to be graduated for beautifying purposes. The dispensing systemmay also be designed such that the user can command a variation in colorof the mixture dispensed without the start and/or end colors having beenset beforehand. To do that, the dispensing system may possess a locationor auto-location system and deduce from a look-up table the colors C1and C2 that it has to create and therefore the changes in the mixturethat it has to make.

These different effects could be created with a constant mattness/shineeffect.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition. Thesecompositions may contain absorbent particles or reactive compounds, suchas those that react in contact with the air, for example cyanoacrylateor alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notably UV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

The products, with different coverage, will have equivalentmattness/shine effects.

Creation of Color Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of colors suited to various parts ofthe face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

The products in the palette may have different coverage while havingequivalent mattness/shine effects.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

A further subject of the invention is a system for dispensing at leastone makeup product, having a cup and a dispenser for filling the cupwith at least one product, the cup being secured to the dispenser atleast while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the making up to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of colored substancesand/or allow the preparation of several different color mixturesintended for making up respective areas of the face. The cups may beassociated with identifiers that remind the user of the area of the facefor which a mixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Preferably, the size and shape of the cupeither allow direct application of the mixture to the skin or allow themixture to be picked up on a finger or using an applicator. The cup maybe made of an elastically deformable material, making it possible forexample to turn the concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out andempty it more easily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a makeupproduct, comprising the step of filling a cup of a dispensing system asdefined above with at least one base product from the dispenser.

The products, with different coverage, will have equivalentmattness/shine effects.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a dispensing system having a dispenser having outletpassages for base products and an outlet interface that is separablefrom the dispenser, this interface having a static blender thatpreferably delivers the mixture into a cavity where it can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

According to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to use severaloutlet interfaces and to fill them with different respective mixtures,without the need to purge the blender, thereby reducing losses ofproduct. The outlet interface may be a single-use interface, ifnecessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the color of themixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a system for dispensing a makeup product, having adispenser that receives at least two cartridges that each have areservoir containing a base product, the latter leaving the cartridgethrough an outlet passage of the cartridge, this outlet passage openingto outside of the dispenser or near the external surface thereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the outside of the housingof the dispenser in the absence of an outlet interface. The mountingarea may be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks easily and be able, if so desired, to make upareas as different as the skin, the lips, the eyelashes or eyebrows.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a dispensing system comprising an assembly comprising adispenser of at least one cosmetic, notably makeup, product and at leasttwo outlet interfaces, each of which can be mounted removably on thedispenser, these outlet interfaces which are able to receive the productor products delivered by the dispenser preferably being chosen fromamong the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method involving the stepof selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing a color with an area, with recording.

It may be the case that a person requires several levels of coveragewith a single mattness/shine for all areas.

It may also be the case that she requires several levels of coveragewith one level of mattness/shine on one part of the face and anotherlevel of mattness/shine for another area. For example, she has severalmarks on the forehead and several marks on the cheeks. Thus, she maywant to create several levels of coverage for the forehead with onelevel of mattness/shine for this surface. She may want to create severallevels of coverage for the cheeks with one level of mattness/shine forthis surface.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of colored substance may be applied with a finger,using conventional tools such as brushes, or using specialistapplicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriate color.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same color is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies a color, then makes anassessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the color is suited. The mixture is then indexed in thecomputer system which attributes it to the area(s) of the face for whichit is suitable.

A subject of the invention is also a learning process for a dispensingsystem, comprising a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of variablecolor, and a computer system for selecting a color and for storing data,comprising the steps of:

a) selecting at least one color with the aid of an interface of thecomputer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture ofthe selected color,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face,

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for making up said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outletsto advise people wishing to apply makeup or at home in order to definecorrectly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the color of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for a referenceof a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics of themixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area, and torelay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture color at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user acolor and an area to be tested with a mixture of this color.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one color ofmixture in step a) depending on an application area of which it has beeninformed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of a color of which it has been informedby the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two mixtures ofdifferent colors, preferably separate, so that they can be appliedsimultaneously to the test area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of making up using adispensing system according to this aspect of the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need formakeup,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposed color for makingup an associated zone, on the basis of the learning performedbeforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the mixture ofthe proposed color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one color and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture of the        color selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the color of the        mixture and of an associated application area, notably with a        view to subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably on the        same area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for makeup,        notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one color and/or one        application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the mixture of the proposed        color, notably if this is validated by the user.

The person may incorporate into the map the level of mattness/shine thatshe desires for each area of the face, area by area or set of areas byset of areas. The system will then interpret the mixtures it needs tocreate to ensure the colors and coverage desired and the wantedmattness/shine.

The map may subsequently be modified. Thus, it is possible to create themap in terms of the colors/coverage in the first instance, and thenrefine the map by subsequently defining the levels of mattness/shine.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is thus a method of applying makeup involving the steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the color of a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image to the second site,        so as to receive in return information relating to the makeup        result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the makeup result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser to alter thecolor of the mixture and adapt it to best suit the face of the personpresent at the first site. Thus, this person controls the mixturedelivered by the dispenser. The first person may make herself up underthe gaze of the second. The second person sees the result of the test ontheir screen and can thus correct the mixture that this second personwill control remotely until the ideal makeup is obtained.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup appliedat the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the color of each ofthe base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup. This embodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists andtheir work, either within an institute or over the Internet. It alsoallows people with limited capabilities, such as people with pooreyesight, or people who have difficulty discerning colors, or theelderly, or those lacking in self-confidence to apply makeup.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the color of the mixture dispensed.

A further subject of the invention is a dispensing system having adispenser and a computer system for operating the dispenser, thiscomputer system having a touch screen on which the color of the mixturecan be displayed, and a selection means movable on the screen, in orderto vary the color of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the screen displays end-point colors between which the colorof the mixture can be selected by moving the selection means betweenthese end-point colors.

The screen may display a scale of colors between at least two colors, oran area, notably of triangular outline, within which the selection meanscan be moved. This area may locally show the color of the mixturedepending for example on the distance from each of the vertices, eachone embodying a pure base product.

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired color.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

Another of the aspects of the invention is to improve still further thedispensing systems that comprise a spray system, preferably an airbrush,and according to one of its aspects, independently of or in combinationwith the other aspects, and notably the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is an assembly comprising:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent colors.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate thecolor depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for applying makeup usingan assembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto theskin using the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the color of the mixture dispensed while theface is being made up, notably as the area to be made up changes.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.05 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

The invention may be implemented according to this fifth aspect with theaid of the examples illustrated in the figures, which are describedabove and the description of which will not be repeated here.

Example (Fifth Aspect of the Invention)

Several base products having particulate ingredients are created.

Base products F1 and F2 are rich in pigment (and are different colors).Base product F3 is rich in filler.

F1 F2 F3 mass % mass % mass % Dimethicone copolyol sold under the 2 2 2reference KF 6017 by the company Shin-Etsu Etsu Bis PEG/PPG-14/14 1 1 1dimethicone + Cyclopentasiloxane sold under the reference Abil EM 97 bythe company Goldschmidt Cyclopentasiloxane 17.65 17.65 17.65 Phenyltrimethicone sold under the 2 2 2 reference DC556 by the company DowCorning Ethyl hexyl methoxycinnamate 3 3 3 Squalane 1 1 1Cyclopentasiloxane 7 7 7 Yellow iron oxide coated with 2 1.1 1.33aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI- C33-9001-10 from the company MiyoshiKasei Red iron oxide coated with aluminum 0.2 0.6 0.13 stearoylglutamate NAI-C33-8001-10 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Black ironoxide coated with 0.15 0.15 0.1 aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI-C33-7001-10 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Titanium dioxide (anatase)coated 9.65 10.15 6.44 with aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI-TAO-77891from the company Miyoshi Kasei Talc coated with 0 0 1.5 aluminumstearoyl glutamate NAI- TA-13R from the company Miyoshi Kasei Talc soldunder the 0.5 0.5 0.5 reference Micro Ace P3 by the company Nippion TalcNylon 12 powder sold 0.5 0.5 0.5 under the reference SP 500 by thecompany Toray Industries Demineralized water 36.15 36.15 38.651,3-Butylene glycol 3 3 3 Magnesium sulfate 0.7 0.7 0.7 Hydrogenatedmaltose 0.5 0.5 0.5 solution Denatured 96° ethyl 13 13 13 alcohol TOTAL100 100 100

Procedure

The constituents of phase A are weighed out in the main beaker and arestirred with a Moritz blender (1000 rpm) while maintaining at roomtemperature. Phase B is prepared separately by milling three times in athree-roll mill the mixture of pigments and of cyclopentasiloxane. Thisphase B is then added, with continued stirring, along with the fillers(phase C).

The aqueous phase D is also prepared separately, by weighing out in abeaker the butylene glycol, the magnesium sulfate, the hydrogenatedmaltose solution, and water at room temperature. The aqueous phase D isstirred using a magnetic bar until homogenized. C D E The emulsion ismade at room temperature: the aqueous phase D is poured into the fattyphase while gradually increasing the stirring speed (Moritz blender) upto 4000 rpm. Stirring is continued for 7 minutes. Finally, phase E(ethyl alcohol) is added for the last 3 minutes of 5 the emulsification.

Test

The dispensing system is used to create several mixtures (theproportions within the mixture are volumetric):

M1: A 50%, B 20%, C 30%

M2: A 50%, B 0%, C 50%

M3: A 50%, B 40%, C 10%

Mixtures M1, M2, M3 are applied to different areas of the face.Different coverages and different colors (more or less pink) but withequivalent levels of mattness are obtained.

F) Dispensing System for Customizing the Level of Photoprotection of aFoundation without Modifying its Level of Mattness and Shine

Women need to be able to make themselves up and protect themselves fromthe sun. Since the UV level can vary from one day to another and thusalso the need for photoprotection, it is necessary to be able to provideaccess to an entire range of photoprotection levels, while at the sametime providing access to a range of color and coverage.

In the case of marked skin, most of the time, the areas of skin that aremarked make up only a small proportion of the surface of the face. Theyrequire especially high protection since these areas are known to beable to change under solar irradiation and in particular create moremarks.

Other areas, such as scars, also require a high level of protection.

By contrast, the base of the skin requires less protection, it beingunderstood that people tan it for esthetic reasons. It is thereforenecessary to be able to provide makeup products that contain little orno screening agent.

A solution is required for giving access to an entire range ofphotoprotection levels, which can be applied to one and the same facewithout the differences being detectable.

There are very few solutions for solving these problems.

A first approach is to buy numerous makeup products with screeningagents and try them all out. This approach is costly and often givesrise to waste insofar as only a small number of the products tested aregenerally kept.

A second approach is to test out various products in store. That is notalways suitable, because it is very difficult to get a feeling for theresults in just a few moments and at a location missing the usuallandmarks. In particular, in order to fully assess the makeup effect instore, it would be necessary to be able to have the same lighting aswill be found in future conditions of use, and this is something that israrely possible. In general, it is only by testing out makeup over thecourse of a day that one can determine whether or not it is suitable. Inaddition, while certain stores have advisers and allow testing, this isnot the case for a large number of other sales outlets and Internetsales.

Another approach has been tested but not developed. This consists increating one's products by hand by mixing several colored products. Thismay prove relatively difficult to do because it is not very easy toreproduce the same mixture exactly a number of times over, and it isawkward to quickly create the mixtures one needs at the moment ofapplying the makeup.

Dispensers for dispensing a cosmetic composition of variable color arealso known.

Of the tests that have been able to be attempted for automating themanufacture of a customized cosmetic composition, many are those inwhich the proposed solutions allow mixtures to be created in quantitiesof around 100 g or sometimes less, but not in the very small proportionsgenerally needed by a person applying makeup, namely in the region ofone gram or much less.

In order to illustrate this problem, consider the case of somebodywishing to hide two imperfections in the region of one cm2 on her face.For the first area, she needs to find the corresponding mixture, thendeliver a very small quantity, for example around 10 mg, thereof. Forthe second, she needs to change the setting of the dispenser, then, onceagain, deliver a very small quantity.

Therefore, for a great many people, choosing the colored substances thatwill yield the best results remains a difficult matter.

There is therefore a need to make searching for a screening makeupproduct that meets the expectations of a consumer and that allows thisconsumer to create mixtures under reliable conditions and in variousquantities easier.

Therefore, according to certain aspects, the invention seeks to make iteasier to make up the face with photoprotection, and notably to find theproducts best suited to the various areas thereof.

There is also a need to improve the dispensing systems for deliveringproducts of variable color, in order notably to make these easier to useand improve the quality of the makeup.

There is also a need to apply several products with differentphotoprotective capacities to the same face. In particular, people canhave areas of the face that are marked to a greater or lesser extent andthus require different photoprotection strengths. It is thereforeadvantageous to be able to have a means for producing photoprotectiveformulations with different photoprotection strengths.

The production of concealing and photoprotective products by mixingpresents a significant problem. Since they are based on oily ingredients(organic screening agents), mixtures are thus obtained which, dependingon the level of photoprotection chosen (and thus the quantity of oilyingredients) confer different mattness/shine aspects on the skin.

There is therefore a need to improve the dispensing systems fordelivering products of variable photoprotection while retaining the samelevel of mattness/shine, in order notably to make these easier to useand improve the quality of the makeup and photoprotection.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to a sixth of its aspects,is a system for dispensing a product, comprising a dispenser thatreceives at least two cartridges containing first and second baseproducts, respectively, the first base product comprising, notably inthe form of an inverse emulsion, an organic sunscreen and an oil, thesecond base product comprising an oil, the dispenser making it possibleto deliver at least these two base products in adjustable proportions,the concentration of sunscreen in the first base product being greaterthan that of the second base product, and the concentration of oil inthe second base product being greater than that of the first baseproduct.

According to this sixth aspect, the invention may have one or more ofthe following features:

-   -   the mass content of the organic sunscreen in the first base        product is greater than or equal to 2% of the mass of the first        base product, better still greater than or equal to 4% of the        mass of the first base product, for example between 4% and 30%,    -   the mass content of oil(s) in the second base product is greater        than or equal to 10% of the mass of the second base product,        preferably greater than 15% of the mass of the second base        product, preferably greater than or equal to 20%, for example        between 20% and 60%, the second base product not containing any        organic sunscreen,    -   the second base product comprises an organic sunscreen,    -   at least one of the first and second base products contains a        coloring agent,    -   the coloring agent is chosen from pigments, notably iron oxides,    -   each of the first and second base products comprises a coloring        agent,    -   at least one of the first and second base products contains a        colorless filler,    -   each of the first and second base products comprises a colorless        filler,    -   the dispensing system comprises a third cartridge with a third        base product,    -   the cartridges are received in a removable manner in the        dispenser,    -   each product leaves the cartridge through an outlet passage of        the cartridge, the outlet passage being defined by a dispensing        end piece of the cartridge, said end piece being driven in        rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drive        mechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base product        contained in the cartridge.

A further subject of the invention according to this sixth aspect is aprocess for adjusting a system as described above, comprising theadjustment of the dispenser depending on the area to be treated with theproduct and/or the intensity of the UV radiation.

According to this sixth aspect, the invention is based on a dispensingsystem that allows mixtures to be generated from base products. Thesebase products may be of different colors, such that the color of themixture can be varied. The base products make it possible to vary thelevel of photoprotection of the mixture. The base products may also varythe color and the coverage. Thus, the idea of color is to be understoodin a broad sense and encompasses mixtures of which the color variesafter application as a result of variations in their level of coverageand in the color of the underlying skin.

According to its sixth aspect, the invention is based on a dispensingsystem, compartments containing at least two different formulationswhich contain organic screening ingredients chosen to create a screeningeffect. These formulations preferably contain an inverse emulsion thathas an organic screening agent concentration for the one part and an oilconcentration for the other. Thus, by creating mixtures, the shine andmattness do not change. It is thus possible to vary the level ofscreening while retaining the same appearance.

The dispensing system may be programmed to deliver, for each location onthe face, the best screening mixture (neither too much nor too little).The overall appearance will not make it possible to tell that the facehas been treated with different levels of screening. The system can alsobe used to vary the level of screening as desired and depending on thetime. (for example, more screening at lunchtime, less for theafternoon).

Dispensing System

The dispensing system may consist of a single device operatingautonomously, preferably able to be manipulated in one hand, or of adevice that operates in interaction with other components or devices. Itmay for example entail various outlet interfaces which are mounted onthe dispenser depending on the type of makeup to be created, as will bespecified below. It may also entail a computer system which exchangesinformation with the dispenser in order to operate the latter, thiscomputer system comprising, for example, a portable terminal such as asmartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a dedicatedterminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s. Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20and 100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thuspossible to easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensingsystem is therefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, forcovering an area of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to one aspect thereof, isa dispensing system comprising a dispenser having a housing, and atleast one cartridge received in the housing of the dispenser, thiscartridge having a body and a piston capable of moving in the body, thehousing comprising a motorized drive mechanism for moving the piston ofthe cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the shade, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the shade to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severalbase products of different colors.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is dispensed whilethe other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped. Such a dispensing system is especiallysuited to liners, glosses and other formulations applied without directcontact with the hands. This container may be removable.

For example, it is used as a lip-color dispenser and has a dispensingsystem, for example using a screw. When it is not removable, thecontainer may be produced with the body of the dispenser. When it isremovable, it may constitute one output interface among others that canbe mounted on the dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture

A to a mixture B several times in succession. In the case of applicationby spraying, a multilayer application can thus be achieved, withdifferent formulations for two superposed adjacent coats. Another modemakes it possible for example to offer several preprogrammed successivemixtures, the computer system each time indicating to the user how theseshould be used, for example by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the person isfully made up.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

Screening Ingredients

The screening ingredients are chosen from liquid lipophilic organic UVscreening agents. The term “liquid lipophilic organic UV screeningagent” is understood to mean any organic chemical molecule that iscapable of absorbing at least UV radiation in the wavelength rangebetween 280 and 400 nm, said molecule being in liquid form at ambienttemperature (20-25° C.) and at atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg) andcapable of being miscible in an oily phase.

The liquid organic UV screening agents that are usable according to theinvention may be chosen from

-   -   liquid lipophilic β,β-diphenylacrylate compounds    -   liquid lipophilic salicylate compounds    -   liquid lipophilic cinnamate compounds    -   and mixtures thereof.

i) β,β-Diphenylacrylate Compounds

Among the liquid lipophilic organic UVB screening agents that are usableaccording to the invention, mention may be made of the liquid lipophilicalkyl β,β-diphenylacrylate or α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate compounds offormula (I) below:

in which R₁ to R₃ can have the following meanings:

-   -   R₁ and R′₁, which may be identical or different, represent a        hydrogen atom, a straight-chain or branched-chain C₁-C₈ alkoxy        radical or a straight-chain or branched-chain C₁-C₄ alkyl        radical;        -   R₁ and R′₁ being in the para meta position;        -   R₂ represents a straight-chain or branched-chain C₁-C₁₂            alkyl radical;        -   R₃ represents a hydrogen atom or the CN radical.

Among the straight-chain or branched-chain C₁-C₈ alkoxy radicals,mention may be made, for example, of methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy,isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, tert-butoxy, n-amyloxy, isoamyloxy,neopentyloxy, n-hexyloxy, n-heptyloxy, n-octyloxy and 2-ethylhexyloxyradicals.

Among the straight-chain or branched-chain C₁-C₄ alkyl radicals, mentionmay more particularly be made of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,n-butyl, isobutyl and tert-butyl radicals. For the C₁-C₁₂ alkylradicals, mention may be made, by way of example, in addition to thosementioned above, of n-amyl, isoamyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl,n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, decyl and lauryl radicals.

Among the compounds of general formula (I), the following compounds aremore particularly preferred:

-   -   2-ethylhexyl α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate or Octocrylene, sold        notably under the trade name Uvinul N539® by BASF;    -   ethyl α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate such as Etocrylene, sold        notably under the trade name Uvinul N35® by BASF;    -   2-ethylhexyl β,β-diphenylacrylate;    -   ethyl β,β-di(4′-methoxyphenyl)acrylate.

Among the compounds of general formula (I), the compound 2-ethylhexyl2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate or Octocrylene is even more particularlypreferred.

ii) Salicylate Compounds

Among the liquid lipophilic salicylate compounds that are usableaccording to the invention, mention may be made of:

-   -   Homosalate, sold under the name Eusolex HMS® by Rona/EM        Industries,    -   Ethylhexyl salicylate, sold under the name Neo Heliopan OS® by        Symrise.

iii) Cinnamate Compounds

Among the liquid lipophilic cinnamate compounds that are usableaccording to the invention, mention may be made of:

-   -   Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, sold notably under the trade name        Parsol MCX® by DSM Nutritional Products,    -   Isopropyl Methoxycinnamate,    -   Isoamyl Methoxycinnamate, sold under the trade name Neo Heliopan        E 1000 by Symrise.

Among the liquid lipophilic screening agents according to the invention,use will more particularly be made of the compound EthylhexylMethoxycinnamate.

Among the nonvolatile fluoro and/or silicone oils, mention may be madeof:

-   -   optionally partially hydrocarbon-based and/or silicone fluoro        oils, for instance fluorosilicone oils, fluoropolyethers and        fluorosilicones as described in EP-A-847 752;    -   silicone oils such as nonvolatile polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs);        phenylated silicones, for instance phenyl trimethicones, phenyl        dimethicones, phenyltrimethylsiloxydiphenylsiloxanes, diphenyl        dimethicones, diphenylmethyldiphenyltrisiloxanes and        2-phenylethyl trimethyl-siloxysilicates.

According to one particular mode of the invention, the oily phasecomprises at least one silicone oil as defined above and at least oneliquid lipophilic organic UV-screening agent as defined above.

According to one particular mode of the invention, the oily phasecomprises at least Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.

Oils

The term “oils” is understood to mean an oil that remains on the skin atroom temperature and atmospheric pressure for at least several hours,and that notably has a vapor pressure of less than 0.13 Pa (0.01 mmHg).

These nonvolatile oils may be hydrocarbon-based oils, notably of animalor plant origin, silicone oils, or mixtures thereof. A“hydrocarbon-based oil” is understood to be an oil mainly containinghydrogen and carbon atoms and possibly oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and/orphosphorus atoms.

Nonvolatile hydrocarbon-based oils that may especially be mentionedinclude:

-   -   hydrocarbon-based oils of animal origin,    -   hydrocarbon-based oils of plant origin such as triglycerides        constituted by fatty acid esters of glycerol, the fatty acids of        which may have chain lengths varying from C4 to C24, these        chains possibly being linear or branched, and saturated or        unsaturated; these oils are in particular heptanoic or octanoic        acid triglycerides, or alternatively wheatgerm oil, sunflower        oil, grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, corn oil, apricot oil,        castor oil, shea oil, avocado oil, olive oil, soybean oil, sweet        almond oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, hazelnut        oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, alfalfa oil, poppy oil, pumpkin        oil, marrow oil, blackcurrant oil, evening primrose oil, millet        oil, barley oil, quinoa oil, rye oil, safflower oil, candlenut        oil, passion-flower oil and musk rose oil; shea butter; or else        caprylic/capric acid triglycerides,    -   synthetic ethers containing from 10 to 40 carbon atoms,    -   linear or branched hydrocarbons of mineral or synthetic origin,        such as petroleum jelly, polydecenes, hydrogenated        polyisobutene, squalane and liquid paraffins, and mixtures        thereof,    -   synthetic esters such as oils of formula R1COOR2 in which R1        represents a linear or branched fatty acid residue containing        from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and R2 represents a notably branched        hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, on        the condition that R1+R2≥10, for instance purcellin oil        (cetostearyl octanoate), isopropyl myristate, isopropyl        palmitate, C12 to C15 alkyl benzoates, hexyl laurate,        diisopropyl adipate, isononyl isononanoate, isodecyl        neopentanoate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, isostearyl isostearate,        2-hexyldecyl laurate, 2-octyldecyl palmitate, 2-octyldodecyl        myristate, alkyl or polyalkyl heptanoates, octanoates,        decanoates or ricinoleates such as propylene glycol dioctanoate;        hydroxylated esters such as isostearyl lactate, diisostearyl        malate and 2-octyldodecyl lactate; polyol esters and        pentaerythritol esters,    -   fatty alcohols that are liquid at room temperature, with a        branched and/or unsaturated carbon-based chain containing from        12 to 26 carbon atoms, for instance octyldodecanol, isostearyl        alcohol, oleyl alcohol, 2-hexyldecanol, 2-butyloctanol and        2-undecylpentadecanol,    -   higher fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid or        linolenic acid, and mixtures thereof.

The nonvolatile silicone oils that may be used in the compositionaccording to the invention may be nonvolatile polydimethylsiloxanes(PDMSs), polydimethylsiloxanes comprising alkyl or alkoxy groups, thatare pendent and/or at the end of a silicone chain, the groups eachcontaining from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, phenyl silicones, for instancephenyl trimethicones, phenyl dimethicones,phenyltrimethylsiloxydiphenylsiloxanes, diphenyl dimethicones,diphenylmethyldiphenyltrisiloxanes, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the oily phase comprises at least one silicone oil, evenmore preferably chosen from:

-   -   volatile cyclic silicone oils having a viscosity at room        temperature of less than 8 cSt and containing notably from 4 to        7 silicon atoms, these silicones optionally comprising alkyl or        alkoxy groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, in        particular chosen from hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane,        octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and        dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (cyclohexasiloxane), and mixtures        thereof;    -   volatile or nonvolatile polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs) (INCI        name: Dimethicone);    -   phenylated silicones;    -   polydimethylsiloxanes comprising aliphatic groups, in particular        alkyl groups, or alkoxy groups, which are pendent and/or at the        end of the silicone chain; these groups each comprising from 6        to 24 carbon atoms, and more particularly caprylyl methicone,        such as the commercial product Dow Corning FZ-3196® from the        company Dow Corning;    -   mixtures thereof.

Inverse Emulsions/Anhydrous Compositions

According to the invention, when a composition is said to be in the formof an inverse emulsion, it will be understood that it can alsoalternately be in another form depending on the composition in question.

A base product may be in the form of an emulsion, for example an O/W,W/O, O/W/O or W/O/W emulsion, and preferably a W/O inverse emulsion, orin the form of an anhydrous composition, comprising notably carbon-basedcompounds and/or silicone compounds, such as hydrocarbon-based oilsand/or silicone oils.

The emulsions according to the sixth aspect of the invention arepreferably water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, al so known as inverseemulsions, namely constituted of an oily continuous phase in which theaqueous phase is dispersed in the form of droplets so as to observe amixture that is macroscopically homogeneous to the naked eye.

Use for Making Up One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, day after day, withonly the areas that need to be hidden being treated. To this end, smalldoses of makeup with a greater or lesser screening action are delivered,and are applied specifically and sequentially to the correspondingareas. Each small dose is created using the mixture suited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below. As an alternative, the dispensingsystem informs the person, when delivering a mixture, of the area towhich the person is to apply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing systemmay follow an application program in which it delivers, in a givenorder, the various mixtures that are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the necessary screening, the area of the faceand the quantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs andwastage of product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoidingocclusion effects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that havea high screening action and provide too much screening to be applied tothe whole of the face. Thus, it is possible to obtain makeup results ofnatural or even undetectable appearance, but with an especiallyeffective level of screening.

The system thus makes it possible to carry out localized applications ofa variety of screening capacities, specifically making it possible toobtain the same level of mattness/shine.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

The dispensing system is suited to treating the areas that are to beprotected, without having to screen out UV for the entire face.

It may also be used to conceal and/or protect one or more marks, with asingle level of mattness/shine.

In an especially advantageous variant, the system may be used to applyto the base of the face a formulation with little screening action andthen one or two applications to precise areas of the face offormulations that have more of a screening action. It is also possibleto start with applications to the precise areas of the face of screeningformulations and then to apply to the base of the face an application ofa formulation with little screening action.

In the second case, time is taken, before applying the second layer, towait for the film produced by the application to the precise areas tobecome sufficiently cohesive so that the second layer does not removethe first layer.

Alternatively, the second layer is applied without rubbing (spray forexample, or sponge).

When the user is looking for the screening action to apply to an area ofthe face, it is advantageous to memorize the screening action bestsuited to each area, and the dispensing system is thus advantageouslydesigned to memorize this screening action and the corresponding area.Thus, by using the memorized information, on each use, the same mixturecan be delivered for each area or, if several areas are being treated,the same series of mixtures can be delivered for the same series ofareas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the screening action application after application.For example, on weekdays, the person applies a pale colored foundationwith a low screening action, and at the weekend a foundation with a moretanned color and a high screening action.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change colorand/or screening action to suit her tastes according to the day, thetime, what she is wearing, and the weather. Thus, a system to assistwith decision making is advantageously provided to guide the user in herchoices of color and screening action.

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing the colors onthe same face and to contribute toward a successful overall makeup look.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Graduated Screening

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product. In addition, the outletfor the base products or for the mixture is moved relative to acontainer or a support defining an application surface. In oneparticular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isdesigned to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves as a functionof the screening F 1 of one area to be treated and of the screening F2of another area to be treated.

These different effects could be created with a constant mattness/shineeffect.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or provided inthe compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal weight of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition.

These compositions may contain absorbent particles or reactivecompounds, such as those that react in contact with the air, for examplecyanoacrylate or alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notablyUV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

The products, with different screening actions, will have equivalentmattness/shine effects.

Creation of Screening Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of colors suited to various parts ofthe face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

The products in the palette may have different coverage while havingequivalent mattness/shine effects.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

A further subject of the invention is a system for dispensing at leastone makeup product, having a cup and a dispenser for filling the cupwith at least one product, the cup being secured to the dispenser atleast while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the making up to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. The cups may be associated with identifiers that remindthe user of the area of the face for which a mixture contained in agiven cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm.Preferably, the size and shape of the cup either allow directapplication of the mixture to the skin or allow the mixture to be pickedup on a finger or an applicator. The cup may be made of an elasticallydeformable material, making it possible for example to turn theconcavity of the bottom of the cup inside out and empty it more easilyor use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a screeningmakeup product, comprising the step of filling a cup of a dispensingsystem as defined above with at least one base product from thedispenser.

The products, with different coverage, will have equivalentmattness/shine effects.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a dispensing system having a dispenser having outletpassages for base products and an outlet interface that is separablefrom the dispenser, this interface having a static blender thatpreferably delivers the mixture into a cavity where it can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

According to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to use severaloutlet interfaces and to fill them with different respective mixtures,without the need to purge the blender, thereby reducing losses ofproduct. The outlet interface may be a single-use interface, ifnecessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the color of themixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a system for dispensing a makeup product, having adispenser that receives at least two cartridges that each have areservoir containing a base product, the latter leaving the cartridgethrough an outlet passage of the cartridge, this outlet passage openingto outside of the dispenser or near the external surface thereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the outside of the housingof the dispenser in the absence of an outlet interface. The mountingarea may be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks easily and be able, if so desired, to make upand/or protect areas as different as the skin, the lips, the neck, etc.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a dispensing system comprising an assembly comprising adispenser of at least one cosmetic, notably makeup and/orphotoprotective, product and at least two outlet interfaces, each ofwhich can be mounted removably on the dispenser, these outlet interfaceswhich are able to receive the product or products delivered by thedispenser preferably being chosen from among the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method involving the stepof selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing a color with an area, with recording.

It may be the case that a person requires several levels of screeningwith a single mattness/shine for all areas.

It may also be the case that she requires several levels of screeningwith one level of mattness/shine on one part of the face and anotherlevel of mattness/shine for another area. For example, she has severalmarks on the forehead and several marks on the cheeks. Thus, she maywant to create several levels of screening for the forehead with onelevel of mattness/shine for this surface. She may want to create severallevels of screening for the cheeks with one level of mattness/shine forthis surface.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of colored substance may be applied with a finger,using conventional tools such as brushes, or using specialistapplicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriate color.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same color is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies a color, then makes anassessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the color is suited. The mixture is then indexed in thecomputer system which attributes it to the area(s) of the face for whichit is suitable.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a learning process for a dispensing system comprising adispenser for dispensing a mixture of variable color, and a computersystem for selecting a color and for storing data, comprising the stepsof:

a) selecting at least one color with the aid of an interface of thecomputer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture ofthe selected color,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face,

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for making up said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outletsto advise people wishing to apply makeup or at home in order to definecorrectly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the color of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for thereference of a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics ofthe mixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area,and to relay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture color at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user acolor and an area to be tested with a mixture of this color.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one color ofmixture in step a) depending on an application area of which it has beeninformed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of a color of which it has been informedby the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two mixtures ofdifferent colors, preferably separate, so that they can be appliedsimultaneously to the test area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of making up using adispensing system according to this aspect of the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need formakeup,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposed color for makingup an associated zone, on the basis of the learning performedbeforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the mixture ofthe proposed color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one color and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture of the        color selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the color of the        mixture and of an associated application area, notably with a        view to subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably on the        same area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for makeup,        notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one color and/or one        application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the mixture of the proposed        color, notably if this is validated by the user.

The person may incorporate into the map the level of mattness/shine thatshe desires for each area of the face, area by area or set of areas byset of areas. The system will then interpret the mixtures it needs tocreate to ensure the colors and coverage desired and the wantedmattness/shine.

The map may subsequently be modified. Thus, it is possible to create themap in terms of the colors/coverage/screening in the first instance, andthen refine the map by subsequently defining the levels ofmattness/shine.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup and/orprotecting themselves, notably in choosing the correct colorings.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is thus a method of applying screening makeup involving thesteps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the color of a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image to the second site,        so as to receive in return information relating to the makeup        result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the makeup result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup and/or protected themselves. This adviser may in return influencethe dispenser to alter the color of the mixture and adapt it to bestsuit the face of the person present at the first site. Thus, this personcontrols the mixture delivered by the dispenser. The first person maymake herself up under the gaze of the second. The second person sees theresult of the test on their screen and can thus correct the mixture thatthis second person will control remotely until the ideal makeup isobtained. They can provide advice as to the level of screening.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup appliedat the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the color of each ofthe base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup. This embodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists andtheir work, either within an institute or over the Internet. It alsoallows people with limited capabilities, such as people with pooreyesight, or people who have difficulty discerning colors, or theelderly, or those lacking in self-confidence to apply makeup.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the color of the mixture dispensed.

A further subject of the invention is a dispensing system having adispenser and a computer system for operating the dispenser, thiscomputer system having a touch screen on which the color of the mixturecan be displayed, and a selection means movable on the screen, in orderto vary the color of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the screen displays end-point colors between which the colorof the mixture can be selected by moving the selection means betweenthese end-point colors.

The screen may display a scale of colors between at least two colors, oran area, notably of triangular outline, within which the selection meanscan be moved. This area may locally show the color of the mixturedepending for example on the distance from each of the vertices, eachone embodying a pure base product.

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired color.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

A subject of the invention is also an assembly comprising:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent colors.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate thecolor depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for applying makeup usingan assembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto theskin using the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the color of the mixture dispensed while theface is being made up, notably as the area to be made up changes.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.05 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

The invention according to this sixth aspect can be implemented with adispensing system as described above with reference to the figures,which will not be described again.

Example (Sixth Aspect of the Invention)

Several base products having screening and oily ingredients are created.

The formulation F1 is rich in UV screening agent. The formulation F2 isrich in oil.

F1 F2 mass % mass % Dimethicone copolyol sold under the reference 2 2 KF6017 by the company Shin-Etsu Etsu Bis PEG/PPG-14/14 dimethicone + 1 1Cyclopentasiloxane sold under the reference Abil EM 97 by the companyGoldschmidt Cyclopentasiloxane 17.65 17.65 Phenyl trimethicone soldunder the reference 0 5 DC556 by the company Dow Corning Ethyl hexylmethoxycinnamate 5 0 Squalane 1 1 Cyclopentasiloxane 7 7 Yellow ironoxide coated with aluminum 1.45 1.45 stearoyl glutamate NAI-C33-9001-10from the company Miyoshi Kasei Red iron oxide coated with aluminumstearoyl 0.4 0.4 glutamate NAI-C33-8001-10 from the company MiyoshiKasei Black iron oxide coated with aluminum 0.15 0.15 stearoyl glutamateNAI-C33-7001-10 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Titanium dioxide(anatase) coated with 10 10 aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI-TAO- 77891from the company Miyoshi Kasei Talc sold under the reference Micro AceP3 by 0.5 0.5 the company Nippion Talc Nylon 12 powder sold under thereference SP 0.5 0.5 500 by the company Toray Industries Demineralizedwater 36.15 36.15 1,3-Butylene glycol 3 3 Magnesium sulfate 0.7 0.7Hydrogenated maltose solution 0.5 0.5 Denatured 96° ethyl alcohol 13 13TOTAL 100 100

Procedure

The constituents of phase A are weighed out in the main beaker and arestirred with a Moritz blender (1000 rpm) while maintaining at roomtemperature. Phase B is prepared separately by milling three times in athree-roll mill the mixture of pigments and of cyclopentasiloxane. Thisphase B is then added, with continued stirring, along with the fillers(phase C).

The aqueous phase D is also prepared separately, by weighing out in abeaker the butylene glycol, the magnesium sulfate, the hydrogenatedmaltose solution, and water at room temperature. The aqueous phase D isstirred using a magnetic bar until homogenized. C D E The emulsion ismade at room temperature: the aqueous phase D is poured into the fattyphase while gradually increasing the stirring speed (Moritz blender) upto 4000 rpm. Stirring is continued for 7 minutes. Finally, phase E(ethyl alcohol) is added for the last 3 minutes of 5 the emulsification.

Test

The dispensing system was tested with:

-   -   F1 in compartment A    -   F2 in compartment B

The system was used to create several mixtures (volumetric proportions):

M1: A 30%, B 70%

M2: A 70%, B 30%

M1 and M2 were applied to different areas of the face. Differentfiltering actions but with equivalent levels of mattness were obtained.

G) Dispensing System for Customizing Foundations and their Matting PowerDepending on the Areas of the Face

In the case of overall makeup or the making up of marked skin, there isa desire to have the most attractive appearance as possible. However, inorder to perfect the esthetics of the face, it is not enough to applythe best color at the right location. Thus, it is apparent that theideal level of mattness/shine may be different depending on the area inquestion. Some people prefer areas such as the cheeks to be shiny. Bycontrast, they prefer other areas such as the forehead to be matt.

There are very few solutions for solving this problem.

A first approach is to buy numerous products and try them all out. Thisapproach is costly and often gives rise to waste insofar as only a smallnumber of the colored substances tried are generally kept.

A second approach is to test out various products in store. That is notalways suitable, because it is very difficult to get a feeling for theresults in just a few moments and at a location missing the usuallandmarks. In particular, in order to fully assess the makeup effect instore, it would be necessary to be able to have the same lighting aswill be found in future conditions of use, and this is something that israrely possible. In general, it is only by testing out makeup over thecourse of a day that one can determine whether or not it is suitable. Inaddition, while certain stores have advisers and allow testing, this isnot the case for a large number of other sales outlets and Internetsales.

Another approach has been tested but not developed. This is to createone's products by hand by mixing several colored products. This mayprove relatively difficult to do because it is not very easy toreproduce the same mixture exactly a number of times over, and it isawkward to quickly create the mixtures one needs at the moment ofapplying the makeup.

Dispensers for dispensing a cosmetic composition of variable color arealso known.

Of the tests that have been able to be attempted for automating themanufacture of a customized cosmetic composition, many are those inwhich the proposed solutions allow mixtures to be created in quantitiesof around 100 g or sometimes less, but not in the very small proportionsgenerally needed by a person applying makeup, namely in the region ofone gram or much less.

In order to illustrate this problem, consider the case of somebodywishing to make up their face with a graduation of mattness/shine thatgoes from matt to shiny from the nose (matt) to the cheeks (shiny) andthen to the edge of the face (matt). To create this effect, it isnecessary for the person to be able to apply several touches of product,of the same color but with different and controllable levels ofmattness/shine. Two products are not enough since they result indemarcations between the areas. Thus, there is a need to rapidly andreliably have small quantities of product with variable mattness/shine.The touches may be for example in the region of 10-50 mg per touch andserve to cover only areas of a few cm2. The same exercise is even moredifficult if, to avoid a kind of uniformity, the person may wish to varythe color (color and coverage) while varying the level ofmattness/shine.

Therefore, according to certain aspects, the invention seeks to make iteasier to make up the face and notably to find the most suitableproducts in terms of mattness/shine for the different areas thereof andto rapidly obtain a result with levels of mattness/shine suited to thedifferent areas.

The invention also seeks to obtain a given color with different levelsof mattness/shine.

According to its seventh aspect, the invention is based upon adispensing system that allows mixtures to be generated from baseproducts. These base products may be of different colors (or colorless),such that the mattness/shine of the mixture can be varied. The baseproducts may even make it possible to vary the coverage and/or color ofthe mixture, such that the color resulting from applying the mixture tohuman keratin materials varies, being fairly close to that of saidmaterials. Thus, according to this seventh aspect, the invention makesit possible to fix a color and/or shine and vary the mattness/shine orvary them all. The idea of color is to be understood in a broad senseand encompasses mixtures of which the color varies after application asa result of variations in their level of coverage and in the color ofthe underlying skin.

Thus, according to a seventh of its aspects, the subject of theinvention is a system for dispensing a product, comprising a dispenserthat receives at least two cartridges that each have a reservoircontaining first and second base products, respectively, the first baseproduct comprising at least one of an oil, an interference pigment or apigment with a metallic tint, the second base product comprising amatting filler, the dispenser making it possible to deliver at leastthese two base products in adjustable proportions.

According to this seventh aspect, the invention may have one or more ofthe following preferred features:

-   -   the first base product contains an oil,    -   the first base product contains an interference pigment,    -   the first base product contains a pigment with a metallic tint,    -   the particle size D50 by volume of the pigment and of the filler        is between 100 nm and 1 mm, better still between 200 nm and 100        microns, even better still between 200 nm and 50 microns,    -   the filler is chosen from talc, mica, silica, kaolin,        poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylene powder,        tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, nylon powders, polymethyl        methacrylate powders, lauroyllysine, starch, boron nitride,        hollow polymer microspheres such as those of polyvinylidene        chloride/acrylonitrile, acrylic acid copolymer microspheres,        silicone resin microbeads, polyorganosiloxane el astomer        particles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,        magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate,        aluminum oxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow        silica microspheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules, the        particles that are in the form of hollow sphere portions, and        mixtures thereof, and is preferably chosen from talc, mica,        silica, nylon powders, polymethyl methacrylate powders, and        mixtures thereof, and is even more preferably talc,    -   the filler may have a coating comprising at least one lipophilic        or hydrophobic compound,    -   the first base product and the second base product comprise an        inverse emulsion,    -   the mass content of filler in the second base product is greater        than or equal to 0.5% of the mass of the first base product,        preferably greater than 1% of the mass of the first base        product, even more preferably between 1% and 5% of the mass of        the first base product,    -   the dispensing system comprises a third cartridge with a third        base product,    -   the cartridges are received in a removable manner in the        dispenser,    -   each base product leaves the cartridge through an outlet passage        of the cartridge, the outlet passage being defined by a        dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piece being        driven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a        drive mechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base        product contained in the cartridge.

According to its seventh aspect, a subject of the invention is also amethod for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product to humankeratin materials, comprising the setting of the dispenser depending onthe area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

Thus, according to its seventh aspect, the invention is based on adispensing system having compartments containing at least two differentformulations which preferably contain inverse emulsions that have aconcentration of oils, nacres, or particles with a metallic tint, forthe one part, and a concentration of (matting) fillers for the other.

It is thus possible to vary the level of mattness/shine while retainingthe same color appearance.

The system may be programmed to deliver, for each location on the face,the best matting or shiny mixture (neither too much nor too little). Theoverall appearance will not make it possible to tell that the face hasbeen treated, since it comes close to the appearance of a natural face.

Dispensing System

The dispensing system may consist of a single device operatingautonomously, preferably able to be manipulated in one hand, or of adevice that operates in interaction with other components or devices. Itmay for example entail various outlet interfaces which are mounted onthe dispenser depending on the type of makeup to be created, as will bespecified below. It may also entail a computer system which exchangesinformation with the dispenser in order to operate the latter, thiscomputer system comprising, for example, a portable terminal such as asmartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a dedicatedterminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s. Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20and 100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thuspossible to easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensingsystem is therefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, forcovering an area of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

The dispenser preferably has a housing, and at least one cartridgereceived in the housing of the dispenser, this cartridge having a bodyand a piston that is able to move in the body, the housing having amotorized drive mechanism for moving the piston of the cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the shade, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the shade to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severalbase products of different colors.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is dispensed whilethe other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped.

-   -   When it is not removable, the container may be produced with the        body of the dispenser. When it is removable, it may constitute        one output interface among others that can be mounted on the        dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture

A to a mixture B several times in succession. In the case of applicationby spraying, a multilayer application can thus be achieved, withdifferent formulations for two superposed adjacent coats. Another modemakes it possible for example to offer several preprogrammed successivemixtures, the computer system each time indicating to the user how theseshould be used, for example by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the person isfully made up.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

According to its seventh aspect, the invention is based on a dispensingsystem, compartments containing at least two different formulationswhich may contain inverse emulsions that have a concentration of oils,nacres, or particles with a metallic tint, for the one part, and aconcentration of (matting) fillers for the other.

Oils

The term “oils” is understood to mean an oil that remains on the skin atroom temperature and atmospheric pressure for at least several hours,and that notably has a vapor pressure of less than 0.13 Pa (0.01 mmHg).

These nonvolatile oils may be hydrocarbon-based oils, notably of animalor plant origin, silicone oils, or mixtures thereof. A“hydrocarbon-based oil” is understood to be an oil mainly containinghydrogen and carbon atoms and possibly oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and/orphosphorus atoms.

Nonvolatile hydrocarbon-based oils that may especially be mentionedinclude:

-   -   hydrocarbon-based oils of animal origin,    -   hydrocarbon-based oils of plant origin such as triglycerides        constituted by fatty acid esters of glycerol, the fatty acids of        which may have chain lengths varying from C4 to C24, these        chains possibly being linear or branched, and saturated or        unsaturated; these oils are in particular heptanoic or octanoic        acid triglycerides, or alternatively wheatgerm oil, sunflower        oil, grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, corn oil, apricot oil,        castor oil, shea oil, avocado oil, olive oil, soybean oil, sweet        almond oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, hazelnut        oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, alfalfa oil, poppy oil, pumpkin        oil, marrow oil, blackcurrant oil, evening primrose oil, millet        oil, barley oil, quinoa oil, rye oil, safflower oil, candlenut        oil, passion-flower oil and musk rose oil; shea butter; or else        caprylic/capric acid triglycerides,    -   synthetic ethers containing from 10 to 40 carbon atoms,    -   linear or branched hydrocarbons of mineral or synthetic origin,        such as petroleum jelly, polydecenes, hydrogenated        polyisobutene, squalane and liquid paraffins, and mixtures        thereof,    -   synthetic esters such as oils of formula R1COOR2 in which R1        represents a linear or branched fatty acid residue containing        from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and R2 represents a notably branched        hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, on        the condition that R1+R2≥10, for instance purcellin oil        (cetostearyl octanoate), isopropyl myristate, isopropyl        palmitate, C12 to C15 alkyl benzoates, hexyl laurate,        diisopropyl adipate, isononyl isononanoate, isodecyl        neopentanoate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, isostearyl isostearate,        2-hexyldecyl laurate, 2-octyldecyl palmitate, 2-octyldodecyl        myristate, alkyl or polyalkyl heptanoates, octanoates,        decanoates or ricinoleates such as propylene glycol dioctanoate;        hydroxylated esters such as isostearyl lactate, diisostearyl        malate and 2-octyldodecyl lactate; polyol esters and        pentaerythritol esters,    -   fatty alcohols that are liquid at room temperature, with a        branched and/or unsaturated carbon-based chain containing from        12 to 26 carbon atoms, for instance octyldodecanol, isostearyl        alcohol, oleyl alcohol, 2-hexyldecanol, 2-butyloctanol and        2-undecylpentadecanol,    -   higher fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid or        linolenic acid, and mixtures thereof.

The nonvolatile silicone oils that may be used in the compositionaccording to the invention may be nonvolatile polydimethylsiloxanes(PDMSs), polydimethylsiloxanes comprising alkyl or alkoxy groups, thatare pendent and/or at the end of a silicone chain, the groups eachcontaining from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, phenyl silicones, for instancephenyl trimethicones, phenyl dimethicones,phenyltrimethylsiloxydiphenylsiloxanes, diphenyl dimethicones,diphenylmethyldiphenyltrisiloxanes, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the oily phase comprises at least one silicone oil, evenmore preferably chosen from:

-   -   volatile cyclic silicone oils having a viscosity at room        temperature of less than 8 cSt and containing notably from 4 to        7 silicon atoms, these silicones optionally comprising alkyl or        alkoxy groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, in        particular chosen from hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, octamethylcy        clotetrasiloxane, decamethylcy clopentasiloxane and        dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (cyclohexasiloxane), and mixtures        thereof    -   volatile or nonvolatile polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs) (INCI        name: Dimethicone);    -   phenylated silicones;    -   polydimethylsiloxanes comprising aliphatic groups, in particular        alkyl groups, or alkoxy groups, which are pendent and/or at the        end of the silicone chain; these groups each comprising from 6        to 24 carbon atoms, and more particularly caprylyl methicone,        such as the commercial product Dow Corning FZ-3196® from the        company Dow Corning;    -   mixtures thereof.

Interference Pigment (Nacres)

An “interference pigment”, also known as “nacres”, should be understoodas meaning iridescent or non-iridescent colored particles of any shape,especially produced by certain molluscs in their shell or alternativelysynthesized, which have a color effect via optical interference.

The nacres may be chosen from nacreous pigments such as titanium micacoated with an iron oxide, titanium mica coated with bismuthoxychloride, titanium mica coated with chromium oxide, titanium micacoated with an organic dye and also nacreous pigments based on bismuthoxychloride. They may also be mica particles, at the surface of whichare superposed at least two successive layers of metal oxides and/or oforganic dyestuffs.

Examples of nacres that may also be mentioned include natural micacovered with titanium oxide, with iron oxide, with natural pigment orwith bismuth oxychloride.

The nacres may more particularly have a yellow, pink, red, bronze,orange, brown, gold and/or coppery color or tint.

Advantageously, the nacres according to the invention are micas coveredwith titanium dioxide or with iron oxide, and also bismuth oxychloride.

Particles with a Metallic Tint

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term “particles with ametallic glint” is understood to mean any compound of which the nature,size, structure and surface finish allow it to reflect the incidentlight, notably in a non-iridescent manner.

The particles with a metallic tint that are usable in the invention arein particular chosen from:

-   -   particles of at least one metal and/or of at least one metal        derivative;    -   particles comprising a monomaterial or multimaterial organic or        inorganic substrate, at least partially coated with at least one        layer with a metallic tint comprising at least one metal and/or        at least one metal derivative; and    -   mixtures of said particles.

Among the metals that may be present in said particles, mention may forexample be made of Ag, Au, Cu, Al, Ni, Sn, Mg, Cr, Mo, Ti, Zr, Pt, Va,Rb, W, Zn, Ge, Te and Se, and mixtures or alloys thereof. Ag, Au, Cu,Al, Zn, Ni, Mo and Cr, and mixtures or alloys thereof (for examplebronzes and brasses) are preferred metals.

The term “metal derivatives” denotes compounds derived from metals,especially oxides, fluorides, chlorides and sulfides.

Fillers

These fillers are colorless or white solid particles of any form, whichare in a form that is insoluble and dispersed in the medium of thecomposition.

As illustrations of these fillers, mention may be made of talc, mica,silica, kaolin, poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylene powder,tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders (Teflon®), nylon powders, polymethylmethacrylate powders, lauroyllysine, starch, boron nitride, hollowpolymer microspheres such as those of polyvinylidenechloride/acrylonitrile, for instance Expancel® (Nobel Industrie),acrylic acid copolymer microspheres, silicone resin microbeads (forexample Tospearls® from Toshiba), polyorganosiloxane elastomerparticles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate, aluminumoxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow silicamicrospheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules. Use may also be madeof particles that are in the form of hollow sphere portions, asdescribed in the patent applications JP-2003 128 788 and JP-2000 191789.

The fillers may have a coating comprising at least one lipophilic orhydrophobic compound.

Inverse Emulsions/Anhydrous Compositions

According to the invention, when a composition is said to be in the formof an inverse emulsion, it will be understood that it can alsoalternately be in another form depending on the composition in question.

A base product may be in the form of an emulsion, for example an O/W,W/O, O/W/O or W/O/W emulsion, and preferably a W/O inverse emulsion, orin the form of an anhydrous composition, comprising notably carbon-basedcompounds and/or silicone compounds, such as hydrocarbon-based oilsand/or silicone oils.

The emulsions according to the seventh aspect of the invention arepreferably water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, also known as inverseemulsions, namely constituted of an oily continuous phase in which theaqueous phase is dispersed in the form of droplets so as to observe amixture that is macroscopically homogeneous to the naked eye.

Use for Making Up One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, day after day, withonly the areas that need to be hidden being treated. To this end, smalldoses of makeup are delivered, and are applied specifically andsequentially to the corresponding areas. Each small dose is createdusing the mixture suited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below. As an alternative, the dispensingsystem informs the person, when delivering a mixture, of the area towhich the person is to apply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing systemmay follow an application program in which it delivers, in a givenorder, the various mixtures that are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the mattness/shine, the area of the face andthe quantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs andwastage of product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoidingocclusion effects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that havea high matting action and provide too much matting or are very shiny ortoo shiny to be applied to the whole of the face. Thus, it is possibleto obtain makeup of natural or even undetectable appearance.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

The dispensing system is suited to treating the areas that are to beconcealed, without having to conceal the entire face.

In an especially advantageous variant, the system may be used to applyto the base of the face a matt formulation and then one or twoapplications to precise areas of the face of more shiny formulations. Itis also possible to start with applications to the precise areas of theface of shiny formulations and then to apply to the base of the face anapplication of a more matt formulation.

In the second case, time is taken, before applying the second layer, towait for the film produced by the application to the precise areas tobecome sufficiently cohesive so that the second layer does not removethe first layer.

Alternatively, the second layer is applied without rubbing (spray forexample, or sponge).

When the user is looking for the mattness/shine to apply to an area ofthe face, it is advantageous to memorize the mattness/shine best suitedto each area, and the dispensing system is thus advantageously designedto memorize this mattness/shine and the corresponding area. Thus, byusing the memorized information, on each use, the same mixture can bedelivered for each area or, if several areas are being treated, the sameseries of mixtures can be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the mattness/shine application after application.Thus, the person may make up her lips using different colors that shechooses on a day-by-day basis to suit her tastes. This approach is alsosuitable for the eyelids, and for face makeup because the person mayfancy a change of foundation color. For example, on weekdays, the personapplies a colored foundation that is more matt, and at the weekend afoundation that is more shiny.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to changemattness/shine in addition to color/coverage parameters to suit hertastes according to the day, the time, what she is wearing, and theweather. Thus, a system to assist with decision making is advantageouslyprovided to guide the user in her choices of mattness/shine and/or color(broadly speaking).

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing themattness/shine on the same face and contribute toward a successfuloverall makeup look.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Makeup with Graduated Mattness/Shine

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product. In addition, the outletfor the base products or for the mixture is moved relative to acontainer or a support defining an application surface. In oneparticular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isdesigned to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves as a functionof the mattness/shine C1 of one area to be treated and of themattness/shine C2 of another area to be treated. For example, with theknowledge that the chin requires a mattness/shine C1 and that the cheekrequires a mattness/shine C2, the dispensing system may vary theformulation of the mixture while it is delivering it in order tograduate the mattness/shine between these two points. This makes itpossible for example to better conceal imperfections of the face whileensuring that the end result is realistic, or allows mattness/shine tobe graduated for beautifying purposes. The dispensing system may also bedesigned such that the user can command a variation in mattness/shine ofthe mixture dispensed without the start and/or end mattness/shine havingbeen set beforehand. To do that, the dispensing system may possess alocation or auto-location system and deduce from a look-up table themattness/shine C1 and C2 that it has to create and therefore the changesin the mixture that it has to make.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal weight of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition.

These compositions may contain absorbent particles or reactivecompounds, such as those that react in contact with the air, for examplecyanoacrylate or alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notablyUV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

Creation of Mattness/Shine Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of mattness/shine suited to variousparts of the face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

The products in the palette may have different colors while havingdifferent mattness/shine effects.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

A further subject of the invention is a system for dispensing at leastone makeup product, having a cup and a dispenser for filling the cupwith at least one product, the cup being secured to the dispenser atleast while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the making up to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of colored substancesand/or allow the preparation of several mixtures of different colors andmattness/shine intended for making up respective areas of the face. Thecups may be associated with identifiers that remind the user of the areaof the face for which a mixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see theappearance of the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm.Preferably, the size and shape of the cup either allow directapplication of the mixture to the skin or allow the mixture to be pickedup on a finger or using an applicator. The cup may be made of anelastically deformable material, making it possible for example to turnthe concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out and empty it moreeasily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a makeupproduct, comprising the step of filling a cup of a dispensing system asdefined above with at least one base product from the dispenser.

The products will have different mattness/shine effects.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

A further subject of the invention is a dispensing system having adispenser having outlet passages for base products and an outletinterface that is separable from the dispenser, this interface having astatic blender that preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity whereit can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

It is possible to use several outlet interfaces and to fill them withdifferent respective mixtures, without the need to purge the blender,thereby reducing losses of product. The outlet interface may be asingle-use interface, if necessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the product ofthe mixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

The base product can leave the cartridge through an outlet passage ofthe cartridge, this outlet passage opening out at the outside of thedispenser or near the external surface thereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the outside of the housingof the dispenser in the absence of an outlet interface. The mountingarea may be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks easily and be able, if so desired, to make upareas as different as the skin, the lips, the eyelashes or eyebrows.

The dispensing system may comprise an assembly having a dispenser of atleast one cosmetic product, in particular makeup, and at least twooutlet interfaces, each of which can be mounted removably on thedispenser, these outlet interfaces being able to receive the product(s)delivered by the dispenser, preferably being chosen from the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method involving the stepof selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing a mattness/shine with an area, with recording.

It may be the case that a person requires several levels ofmattness/shine with a single color and/or coverage for all areas.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of colored substance may be applied with a finger,using conventional tools such as brushes, or using specialistapplicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriatemattness/shine.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same mattness/shine is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies a color (of givenmattness/shine), then makes an assessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a mixture of given mattness/shine and applythis same mixture to several areas. The operator then needs to look forthe area of the face to which the mattness/shine is suited. The mixtureis then indexed in the computer system which attributes it to thearea(s) of the face for which it is suitable.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a learning process for a dispensing system comprising adispenser for dispensing a mixture of variable mattness/shine, and acomputer system for selecting a mattness/shine and for storing data,comprising the steps of:

a) selecting at least one mattness/shine with the aid of an interface ofthe computer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture ofthe selected mattness/shine,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face,

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for making up said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a mixture of given mattness/shine and tolook for the area of the face for which it is suitable. The mixture isthen recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which itis suitable, in a look-up table that will be used subsequently in orderto deduce which mixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outletsto advise people wishing to apply makeup or at home in order to definecorrectly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the mattness/shine of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for thereference of a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics ofthe mixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area,and to relay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture mattness/shine at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user amattness/shine and an area to be tested with a mixture of thismattness/shine.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least onemattness/shine of mixture in step a) depending on an application area ofwhich it has been informed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of a mattness/shine of which it has beeninformed by the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two mixtures ofdifferent mattness/shine, preferably separate, so that they can beapplied simultaneously to the test area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of making up using adispensing system according to this aspect of the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need formakeup,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposed mattness/shinefor making up an associated zone, on the basis of the learning performedbeforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the mixture ofthe proposed mattness/shine, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one mattness/shine and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture of the        mattness/shine selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the mattness/shine        of the mixture and of an associated application area, notably        with a view to subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably        on the same area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for makeup,        notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one mattness/shine and/or one        application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the mixture of the proposed        mattness/shine, notably if this is validated by the user.

The person may incorporate into the map the level of mattness/shine thatshe desires for each area of the face, area by area or set of areas byset of areas. The system will then interpret the mixtures it needs tocreate to ensure the colors and coverage desired and the wantedmattness/shine.

The map may subsequently be modified. Thus, it is possible to create themap in terms of the mattness/shine in the first instance, and thenrefine the map by subsequently defining the levels of color andcoverage.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct mattness/shine.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is thus a method of applying makeup involving the steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the mattness/shine of a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image to the second site,        so as to receive in return information relating to the makeup        result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the makeup result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser to alter themattness/shine of the mixture and adapt it to best suit the face of theperson present at the first site. Thus, this person controls the mixturedelivered by the dispenser. The first person may make herself up underthe gaze of the second. The second person sees the result of the test ontheir screen and can thus correct the mixture that this second personwill control remotely until the ideal makeup is obtained.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup appliedat the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the color of each ofthe base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup. This embodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists andtheir work, either within an institute or over the Internet. It alsoallows people with limited capabilities, such as people with pooreyesight, or people who have difficulty discerning colors, or theelderly, or those lacking in self-confidence to apply makeup.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the mattness/shine of the mixture dispensed.

In another of its aspects, independently of or in combination with theother aspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject ofthe invention is thus a dispensing system comprising a dispenser and acomputer system for operating the dispenser, this computer systemcomprising a touch screen on which the mattness/shine of the mixture maybe displayed and a selection means that can be moved over the screen inorder to vary the mattness/shine of the mixture dispensed.

Preferably, the screen displays mattness/shine end points between whichthe mattness/shine of the mixture can be selected by moving theselection means between these mattness/shine end points.

The screen may display a scale of mattness/shine between at least twomattnesses/shines, or an area, notably of triangular outline, withinwhich the selection means can be moved. This area may locally show themattness/shine of the mixture depending for example on the distance fromeach of the vertices, each one embodying a pure base product.

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired mattness/shine.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

Another of the aspects of the invention is to improve still further thedispensing systems that comprise a spray system, preferably an airbrush,and according to one of its aspects, independently of or in combinationwith the other aspects, and notably the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is an assembly comprising:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent mattness/shine.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate themattness/shine depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for applying makeup usingan assembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto theskin using the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the mattness/shine of the mixture dispensedwhile the face is being made up, notably as the area to be made upchanges.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.05 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

The dispensing system may be of the kind illustrated in theabove-described figures. Therefore, the figures will not all bedescribed again.

FIG. 29C illustrates a support having spaces disposed thereonsubstantially in the manner of the different areas of a face; each spacemay contain a mixture, the mattness/shine of which is suited to thecorresponding part of the face. Thus it is easy for the user to knowwhere to apply the mixture picked up from a given space.

The dispenser 11 can be used to deliver a mixture, the formulation ofwhich changes over time, and to collect the mixture in a container thatis movable with respect to the dispenser, such that the mixture isdeposited in a location of the container that varies over time, in orderto achieve a graduated effect.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the dispensing systemhas an outlet interface 110 having a part that is fixed relative to thedispenser and a moving part 252 that has a space 253 for receiving themixture.

For example, the dispenser 11 is arranged in this case with the outletorifices of the cartridges downward and is equipped with a blender suchthat the mixture falls into the space 253 under its own weight. A motormay move the moving part of the outlet interface relative to thedispenser, in a manner that is synchronized with the variation incharacteristics of the mixture, such that a graduated effect is obtainedall along the space 253, as illustrated in FIG. 29B.

As indicated above, the dispensing system 10 according to the inventionpreferably has a man-machine interface that allows the user to easilyand intuitively operate the dispenser 11. This interface may form partof a computer system 100 which communicates with the dispenser 11.

FIGS. 31 to 37 show various examples of touch-sensitive interfaces thatmay allow the user to select the mattness/shine of the mixture resultingfrom the metered dispensing of the various base products.

This interface may have, as illustrated in FIG. 31, a mattness/shineselection area, for example in the form of a triangle, the vertices ofwhich correspond to the mattness/shine of each of the base productscontained in the cartridges.

The user can move a cursor 300, for example in the form of a ball,relative to the vertices A, B and C of the triangle.

The closer he brings the cursor 300 to one of the vertices, the largerthe fraction of the corresponding base product relative to the totalquantity of the various products dispensed.

The fraction of each product relative to the total quantity may beindicated at 301 by a numerical value on the interface.

The interface may allow the user to increment or decrease the quantityof each of the products, for example by operating control buttons 302,which allow precise adjustment of the quantity of each of the baseproducts.

The surface of the triangle 310 may have a mattness/shine that varieslocally so as to be indicative at each point of the mattness/shine ofthe mixture that results from the weighting of the various base productsin the proportions corresponding to the relative coordinates at thispoint.

The interface may have a button 305 providing access to a specific menufor adjusting the volume of product dispensed for purging the dispenser.

The interface may also advantageously allow the flow rate of product tobe adjusted using buttons 304 and 306 returning to a specific menu foradjusting the flow rate.

In the example in question, the interface affords the choice between acontinuous dispensing mode, using the button 304, in which the productsare dispensed for as long as the user is pressing the control button 12.

The corresponding dose can be transmitted to the interface anddisplayed.

The button 306 allows selection of a dose mode of operation, duringwhich even a brief press of the button 12 triggers the dispensing of apredefined dose.

In order to vary the flow rate, the dispenser acts, for example, on theoperating duty cycle of the motors.

The interface may be designed to allow the user to program or memorizethe settings he or she prefers, using a menu 307 providing access tofavorites.

The touch-sensitive interface illustrated in FIG. 32 shows on the screenthree colored areas 400, each one corresponding to the mattness/shine ofone of the base products contained in the dispenser 10, and a centralarea 410 which shows the mattness/shine of the resulting mixture.

The relative quantity of each of the base products can be adjusted usingcursors 415 which move for example along lines joining each of the areas400 to the central area 410.

During use of the interface, the latter may memorize a given setting andcause a button 420 of the mattness/shine of the mixture to appear on thescreen. The user can then, simply by pressing this button 420, dispensea mixture of the corresponding mattness/shine.

In the example in FIG. 34, the interface displays, in an area 500, agiven shade and offers the user, by virtue of control buttons 510 thatare each for the mattness/shine of the corresponding base product, theopportunity to increase or decrease the proportion of this base productin the final mixture. The mattness/shine of the area 500 is recalculateddepending on the actions on the control buttons 510.

In the variant in FIG. 35, the interface shows a color chart havingseveral areas 530, each one corresponding to a particular proportion ofthe various base products.

The user may select one of these areas, for example by pressing it withhis or her finger.

The interface may be designed to display the selected mattness/shine toa larger scale in an area 535. The programming of the dispenser 11 todispense this mattness/shine is triggered for example by the pressingthe area.

In the example in FIG. 36, the user may move a cursor 555 over acontinuous color chart 550, causing the selected mattness/shine to bedisplayed in an area 558.

The user can then, for example by pressing the area 556, trigger thesending to the dispenser 11 of the necessary instructions for thedispenser to dispense a product in the selected mattness/shine.

It is apparent from FIG. 37 that the interface can memorize the variousshades selected and then display them on the screen so as to allow theuser, by pressing corresponding buttons 560, very easily to again selecta shade that has already been chosen.

FIG. 38 shows an example of a user interface 1000 of a dispensing systemcomprising a dispenser, preferably as described above, and a computersystem 100 to which the interface belongs.

The computer system comprises here, for example, a device such as alaptop computer, a tablet or a smartphone, that operates autonomously oris connected to a remote server.

In the example in question, the interface 1000 is defined by the touchscreen of such a device. In a variant that has not been illustrated, thedispenser incorporates a touch screen or any other type of man-machineinterface, and can be used without connection to another device.

The device runs an application, for example which has been downloadedbeforehand and which displays on the screen a face 1035 and a series ofbuttons allowing the user to input information.

The face may comprise several areas Z1 to Z6 that can be selected bytouch, for example the forehead, the nose, the cheeks, the eyelids, thechin, and the lips.

The buttons present on the screen may make it possible for example toinput the name of the makeup or of the user, to display the selectedarea, to choose the mattness/shine, and to inform the computer system asto whether or not the result of the test carried out is acceptable, oreven, as illustrated, to provide information regarding the assessment ofthe result relative to a test carried out previously, namely, forexample, better or “not as good”. The screen may also display a buttonallowing the choice of a mattness/shine and an area to be memorizedafter a test has been carried out with this mattness/shine on the areain question.

The choice of mattness/shine is made for example with a mattness/shinescale similar to the one described with reference to FIG. 36.

The computer system is designed to memorize the data in the form of alook-up table for example, so as to associate an area of the face withthe parameters that allow the mixture dispensed during the test to bereproduced. These parameters include, for example, the relative contentsof each of the base products of the dispenser in the mixture, thequantity Q dispensed, and additional data such as, for example, the nameof the area, the date the mixture was dispensed and/or any other mixtureidentifier, identifiers of the base products, the period of the year,notably the season, the age of the user, his or her sex, his or hergiven or family name, the name of an event associated with the makeup,for example a birthday, amongst other data, and the quantity of productsuitable for the area. The ancillary data may allow the user toreproduce more easily a makeup look considered suitable for a time ofyear or recalling a life event, or to give a rejuvenating effect.

These data may be memorized in the computer system 100, for example inthe abovementioned device and/or on a remote server with which thedevice is in communication, or alternatively in an electronic memoryincorporated into the dispenser 11.

Thus, according to the invention, the user may make the dispenserdeliver a first colored substance, and apply it to a first area of theface, then judge whether or not it is suitable. If the result issatisfactory, the user may record it, indexing it to the area; if theresult is unsatisfactory, the user may command a new mattness/shine inorder to repeat the above operations.

The computer system can be used in this context in various ways.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 40, in a step 1010, the user hasselected a mattness/shine to test, using for example the mattness/shinescale 1011 displayed on the screen, by moving the adjusting button 1012.

Next, the choice of mattness/shine is transmitted to the dispenser 11,in step 1015.

For example, the device transmits the quantities of each of the baseproducts to be dispensed and the electronic circuit 81 takes charge ofoperating the motors accordingly.

In step 1016, the user presses the control button 12 of the dispenser11, this causing, for example, a dose of the mixture, with themattness/shine selected by the user, to be dispensed.

The mixture is, for example, dispensed into the cup 115, then picked upand applied by the user to the cheeks or any other area instructed onthe interface, in step 1020.

In variants, the product is applied using an airbrush or by any othermeans as described above.

The user then, in step 1022, informs the computer system of the resultusing the buttons 1021.

If the user indicates that the result is satisfactory, the systemsuggests for example that he/she validate the parameters of the testusing a button so as to memorize these parameters in step 1031.

If the user does not consider the result to be satisfactory and makesthis known using the button 1032, the result can nevertheless beautomatically saved in step 1034.

Thus, each area can be indexed not only with the suitablemattness(es)/shine(s), but also with the mattness(es)/shine(s) thatis/are not at all suited to this area.

The user can then perform a further test on the same area by returningto step 1010.

If the user is satisfied with the result, he or she may also wish tocarry out a further test, for example on a different area of the face.

If appropriate, if the user is not satisfied, the interface may suggestthat the user indicate whether the result is considered better than ornot as good as the previous test, using corresponding buttons 1040 and1041.

In that case, the computer system may be designed to determine whether,in light of the information input by the user, a proposal can beautomatically made as to what mattness/shine to test next.

If appropriate, a questionnaire may be displayed to assist the computersystem in proposing a mattness/shine in light of the tests carried outand the way in which the user or a professional assisting the user hasassessed these tests.

For example, if the mattness/shine is considered “unsuitable”, thesystem may receive from the user additional information, for example“too matt”, “too shiny”, which will assist the system in proposing a newmattness/shine better suited to the user's expectations.

It may be advantageous for the computer system to be able to receiveinformation comparing the result against the previous tests, for example“it's better” or “it's not as good” and, from there, for the system tobe capable of deducing what new mattness/shine to propose.

Another option is for the computer system to be able to receivecomparison information regarding a comparison against a target, forexample “it's almost ideal” and, from there, for the system to becapable of automatically adjusting its mattness/shine modifications.

In this particular instance, if it receives the information that thedesired result has almost been achieved, the system can adopt smalllevels of mattness/shine change and revise the reflection scale ofadjustment accordingly.

If the dispensing system itself proposes the colored mixtures to betested, these may be based on preprogrammed test scenarios and thesystem may alter how the scenario is followed through according to thesuccesses or failures of the assessment. Thus, for example if, from thethird application of product, it receives information that themattness/shine is almost ideal for the user, the dispensing system mayexit the program and thereafter allow itself to be guided byinstructions from the operator.

In general, the user may be assisted by an expert system in the choiceof mattness(es)/shine(s) to test.

This expert system is, for example, a program run on the device withwhich the dispenser communicates or on the dispenser itself, and whichis based on the answers to a questionnaire and/or on measurements, forexample of the mattness/shine of the skin, taken by a specific sensor orby a camera. The user can thus get assistance from an instrumentedevaluation, for example a mattness/shine sensor. The expert system caneven be implemented on a remote server with which the device or thedispenser exchanges information. The operator may even send an image ofhis or her face to a specialist, who can preprogram the startingmattness/shine choice. In another exemplary embodiment, the userpresents the computer system with a photo of his or her face,

and the computer system is designed to analyze this and create a programdefining the areas to be tested and the first products to be delivered,both in terms of mattness/shine and in terms of quantity. For example,the computer system may be designed to automatically select themattness(es)/shine(s) of makeup to propose to the user by capturing aphotograph in step 1070, as illustrated in FIG. 42. For example, thedevice which communicates with the dispenser 11 is equipped with acamera, and the user takes a photograph of his or her face. The image isthen analyzed in step 1071, and mattness(es)/shine(s) are proposed foreach area of the face in step 1072, for example in accordance withpredefined mattness/shine combination rules.

The dispensing system may be oriented by the user to decide on themattness/shine and also on the quantity of product to be delivered. Forexample, the user may indicate “nose” or “blemish” and the dispensingsystem is designed to adapt the dose dispensed according to a memorizedmap of doses to be dispensed depending on the areas to be treated.

The computer system may guide the user in the choice ofmattnesses/shines in the mixture to be tested, so as to limit the numberof tests needed until the user obtains a result that pleases him or her.

It is thus possible, as illustrated in FIG. 41, that after a mixturedispensed by the dispenser has been applied to a given area of the facein step 1060, the computer system will ask the user whether or not theresult is satisfactory and will, of its own accord, if the result isconsidered to be unsatisfactory, make a change 1061 to the dispenserparameters in order to modify the mixture dispensed.

The user then only has to perform a new test with the modified mixture.

When a mixture is indicated as being satisfactory, the computer systemcan memorize the corresponding parameters so as to allow the mixture tobe recreated at a later date.

The system can then begin the above steps afresh for a new applicationarea.

During the successive tests, the operator does not need to treat theentire face. He or she may for example choose between 3 and 8, forexample 5, small areas. The dispensing system is then advantageouslydesigned to interpolate and/or extrapolate the data regarding themattnesses/shines considered to be suitable, so as to calculate themattnesses/shines that ought to be considered suitable for areas forwhich the exercise has not been conducted.

At the end of the learning stage, the system may generate a display ofthe suitable mattnesses/shines on the various areas, tested orcalculated.

The dispensing system may be designed to indicate whether certainmattnesses/shines appear to be incorrect, doing so on the strength of acomparison against standard maps it has in memory. Thus, it may proposethat the user repeat all or some of the mapping exercise.

Once the computer system has completed its learning, i.e. once themattnesses/shines of mixtures have been identified as being agreeable tothe user for making-up certain areas, the user wishing to apply makeuponly has to call up the area that is to be made up, in step 1080 of FIG.43, and the system will be able to automatically propose a suitablemattness/shine of mixture to the user in step 1081.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 44, the user selects a mattness/shinein step 1090 and the computer system proposes, in step 1091, an area inwhich to apply a mixture of this mattness/shine, on the basis ofinformation previously collected on the basis of the tests performed.

The area proposed is, for example, the area in which an identical orvery similar mattness/shine has already been applied and the resultconsidered acceptable by the user.

FIG. 46 illustrates an example of an implementation of the invention inwhich, having carried out tests on various zones in step 2010, the userinforms the system of the mixture(s) he or she considers to afford thebest result, this allowing the system to know the correspondingparameters in step 2012. Next, in step 2014, the system may propose tothe user references of commercial products that have the same propertiesor very similar properties.

In one variant, the system sends the parameters to a remotemanufacturing center so that a composition that has the same formulationor the same properties as that of the mixture that the user has testedand found to be satisfactory can be produced.

FIG. 45 illustrates the possibility of using the dispenser to dispenseseveral doses 2020 a to 2020 d of different mixtures, next to oneanother on a support 2021, so as to allow these to be applied toadjacent distinct regions of the same area.

The user can, in a single hit, apply a series of mattnesses/shines inorder rapidly to home in on the appropriate mattness/shine. The coloredsubstances present on the support 2021 may have been chosen by theoperator him- or herself or proposed by the dispensing system.

The support 2021 is, for example, movable with respect to the housing ofthe dispenser and is moved sequentially to deposit the correspondingmixtures in the various areas 2020 a to 2020 d, being for examplesimilar to the supports described with reference to FIG. 29 or 29A. Theuser can thus easily compare the results between the various regions andinform the system of which mixture produces the best effect.

FIG. 47 illustrates a system that assists the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings.

This system makes it possible to establish a video link, for exampleover the Internet, between a camera 2060 at a first site 2061 and asecond site 2062.

The camera 2060 is, for example, built into a tablet or a smartphonethat constitutes the computer system 100.

The second site 2062 is allowed to operate the dispenser 11 present atthe first site 2061 either directly or indirectly.

Thus, the person present at the first site can apply the mixturedispensed and send to the second site 2062 a corresponding image, and inreturn receive information relating to the makeup result.

The second site 2062 may have a display screen 2064 that allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the result of the makeup with themixture dispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has appliedthe makeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser 11 toalter the mattness/shine of the mixture and adapt it to best suit theface of the person present at the first site. The protocol for theexchange of data between the two sites thus allows command instructionsto be sent to the dispenser 11, either directly or via the computersystem 100 present at the first site. Thus, the person present at thesecond site controls the mixture delivered by the dispenser 11. Thefirst person may make herself up under the gaze of the second. Thesecond person sees the result of the test on their screen and can thuscorrect the mixture that this second person will control remotely untilthe ideal makeup is obtained.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link, suchthat the user present at the first site can see an image of the adviseron the screen of the computer system. This adviser can send the userpresent at the first site a tutorial if need be.

The memorizing of the setting parameters of the dispenser 11, once agiven mixture has been considered satisfactory, may be commanded fromthe second site.

Advantageously, the dispensing system 10 is designed to be able tomodify all the mattnesses/shines esthetically for each area if theperson wishes to change the mattness/shine of his or her face. Thedispensing system may be designed in such a way that the user only hasto modify a single mattness/shine in one area for the system to modifyall the others. To this end, the dispensing system can use translations,for example by recording the mattness/shine saturation or shifting theshade.

The dispensing system may be designed to receive the map of somebodyelse, real or virtual. It may also combine the map of the person withthe map of another, in order to sublimate the makeup without losing theinherent characteristics.

The interface may be used to define makeup programs in which the orderof the areas to make up or the order of the mattnesses/shines to proposeis defined.

EXAMPLES

A dispenser 11 like that illustrated in FIG. 3 and described above iscreated. The dispenser is designed to communicate with a tablet 100 suchas an iPad. This computer system runs an application known as “μMix”developed in the specific Apple environment (XCode 4 and iOS simulator)in the Objective C language.

It uses Foundation, UTKit and CoreGraphics basic frameworks which supplythe tools for manipulating the data structures, computation tools andfunctionalities associated with the user graphics interface.

The application also uses the CoreBluetooth framework providing accessto the Bluetooth 4 Low Energy peripherals, with the following maintasks:

-   -   looking for Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy peripherals,    -   connection/disconnection and management of connection        parameters,    -   communication in read and/or write mode based on the GATT        (Generic Attribute Profile) architecture.

The application proposes the following functionalities:

-   -   definition of the fractions of base products,    -   choice of mode of operation when pressing the control button 12,        namely continuous, purge or dose,    -   display of a triangle of volumetric fraction as illustrated in        FIG. 30 with management of the volumetric fraction by tactile        touch on the triangle or using the +/− buttons associated with        each product,    -   Bluetooth connection/disconnection and real-time transfer of        instructions to the dispenser,    -   settings of flow rates in continuous mode, and of quantities in        dose mode,    -   calculation, display and transfer to the dispenser of the        volumetric fractions of products in real time, depending on the        instruction, with the sum of the fractions always equal to 100%,    -   collection and display of the torques of the three motors in        real time, and    -   saving of the key parameters in a configuration file.

The continuous mode is a dispensing mode in which the mixture of thethree base products is dispensed for as long as the user presses thedispensing button 12. The product is dispensed at a flow rate, anestimate of which is displayed above the “Continuous” button 304. Thechoice of flow rate is made in a “Settings” menu.

The “dose” mode is a mode of dispensing the mixture in doses, in whichthe dose is delivered after the user presses the dispensing button 12.One press is enough and the user can then release the button. Theoverall dose of product dispensed is that indicated above the “Dose”button 306, for example 0.1 ml. This volume can be altered in the“Settings” menu.

The “purge” mode is a dispensing mode in which a dose of mixture withequal volumetric fractions (33%) is delivered as soon as the user haspressed the dispensing button 12, as in the “dose” mode. One press isenough and the user can then release the button. When the dose has beendispensed in full, the button may be released. If the button is releasedbefore the end, dispensing stops, even if the specified volume has notbeen achieved. The overall dose of product dispensed is that indicatedabove a “Purge” button 305, for example 3 ml. This volume can be alteredin the Settings menu.

The user determines the desired mattness/shine with the applicationwhich is run on the tablet and which calculates the fractions of thevarious products. The tablet communicates this value to the dispenser bya Bluetooth connection.

The electronics built into the dispenser 11 collects the information andautomatically adjusts the flow rates of the three cartridges so as toobtain a mixture of the desired mattness/shine.

When the user wishes to use the product, he or she presses the button 12of the dispenser in order to cause the product to be expelled. He or shepresses for as long as he or she wants product, in “continuous” mode. In“dose” mode, the user presses the button 12 once and the predefined doseis delivered.

Dispensing may be performed continuously, namely with the motorsoperating continuously, the entire volume being dispensed in one hit, oriteratively, the motors then operating in a pulsed fashion; in thatcase, the time interval between two pulses makes it possible to vary theflow rate. Small volumes are delivered one after another in severalstages.

The pulses may be separated for example by intervals of 50 ms, 100 ms or200 ms. The duration of a pulse during which the motor is turning willbe from 50 to 150 ms, for example.

The main page of the “μMix” application comprises in this example thefollowing elements, as can be seen notably in FIG. 31:

-   -   status bar at the top of the screen: indicates the status of the        Bluetooth connection or μMix if there is no Bluetooth        connection;    -   thumbnails at the bottom of the screen: for selecting the active        page: main page, Settings, Bluetooth, Products and Favorites;    -   Continuous button 304 for selecting the mode in which products        are dispensed continuously;    -   Purge button 305 for selecting the Purge mode;    -   Dose button 306 for selecting the mode in which dispensing is in        doses with the volume of the dose associated with the Dose        button;    -   a blue ball 300 that the user can move around inside the        volumetric triangle either by dragging it or using a double tap;    -   “−” buttons 302 for each product A, B and C: reduces the        fraction of product selected when moving along the straight line        connecting the point to the vertex of the product selected;    -   “+” buttons 302 for each product A, B and C: increases the        fraction of product selected when moving along the straight line        connecting the point to the vertex of the product selected;    -   volumetric fraction of each product as a percentage: modifiable        by the user and updated in real time according to the        instruction from the + and − buttons 302 and the position of the        ball 300.

While the volumetric fractions are being modified by moving the ball orusing the + and − buttons, the values of the volumetric fractions of theproducts A, B and C are updated automatically. When the volumetricfractions are modified using the + and − buttons, the ball 300 is movedautomatically into the corresponding position in the triangle.

When the application run on the tablet is started up, it automaticallyconnects to the dispenser 11 if it is detected. When the dispenser isswitched off or the Bluetooth connection is broken, the tabletdisconnects. When the user moves the cursors that adjust the proportionsof the products A and B, the values are transmitted in real time to thedispenser 11.

The Settings page of the application contains the following elements:

-   -   status bar at the top of the screen: indicates the status of the        Bluetooth connection or μMix if there is no Bluetooth        connection;    -   thumbnails at the bottom of the screen: for selecting the active        page:

main page, Settings, Bluetooth, or Info;

-   -   “Volumes” part with a text field to be filled in by the user to        define the volume of the dose, in ml (2 ml for example), and a        field for the purge volume, in ml (3 ml for example). The        minimum doses in this example are 0.023 ml and the maximum doses        are 9.90 ml (3×3.3 ml);    -   “Flow rate” part with selection of the flow rate: fast (>>0.03        ml/s), medium (>>0.02 ml/s) or slow (>>0.01 ml/s);    -   “Dose” part with iterative choice of the mixture, for dispensing        a mixture of products with small volumes delivered one after        another in several stages;

In the contrary case, the total volume of each product is dispensed inone hit;

-   -   “Triangle image” part for selecting the image of the triangle        that will be displayed on the main page in order to be able to        display a triangle with the mattnesses/shines delivered by the        dispenser 11. By using a “Choose image” button on the “Settings”        page, an album can be accessed.

The “Products” page of the application has, in the example in question,the following elements:

-   -   a choice of the value of each product in code step units from 0        to 1414.

Each unit corresponds to a delivered product volume of 2.33 which is thesmallest quantity that the dispenser in this example can deliver; whenthis page is displayed, it is the values of products on this page thatare transmitted in real time to the dispenser. As soon as the page is nolonger displayed, the values sent to the dispenser are those of the mainpage with the triangle;

-   -   display of the motor torques for A, B and C in real time        refreshed every 45 values.

The mode in which the products are delivered is the iterative or directdose mode, according to the option chosen on the Settings page.

The “Favorites” page allows configurations to be saved in a file. Itprovides access in the example in question to 10 files, namely“Configuration 1” to “Configuration 10” in addition to the default file.These files record for example the following parameters:

-   -   fractions of products A, B and C,    -   Purge volume,    -   Dose volume,    -   fast, medium or slow flow rate,    -   Dose, Purge or Continuous mode,    -   continuous or iterative dispensing.

Example (Seventh Aspect of the Invention)

Several base products are created (the proportions are by mass)

The formulations F1 and F2 are rich in fillers (and are differentcolors). The formulation F3 is rich in nacre (bismuth oxychloride).

F1 F2 F3 mass % mass % mass % Dimethicone copolyol sold under the 2 21.8 reference KF 6017 by the company Shin-Etsu Etsu Bis PEG/PPG-14/14dimethicone + 1 1 0.9 Cyclopentasiloxane sold under the reference AbilEM 97 by the company Goldschmidt Cyclopentasiloxane 17.65 17.65 15.92Phenyl trimethicone sold under the 2 2 1.8 reference DC556 by thecompany Dow Corning Ethyl hexyl methoxycinnamate 3 3 2.7 Squalane 1 10.9 Dispersion of bismuth oxychloride in 0 0 10 2-ethylhexylhydroxystearate (70:30) (Timiron Liquid Silver ® from Merck)Cyclopentasiloxane 7 7 6.29 Yellow iron oxide coated with 1.62 1.1 1.45aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI- C33-9001-10 from the company MiyoshiKasei Red iron oxide coated with aluminum 0.29 0.6 0.26 stearoylglutamate NAI-C33-8001-10 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Black ironoxide coated with aluminum 0.13 0.13 0.12 stearoyl glutamateNAI-C33-7001-10 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Titanium dioxide(anatase) coated with 9.96 10.17 8.95 aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI-TAO-77891 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Talc sold under the referenceMicro 0.5 0.5 0.45 Ace P3 by the company Nippon Talc Nylon 12 powdersold under the 0.5 0.5 0.45 reference SP 500 by the company TorayIndustries Demineralized water 36.15 36.15 32.53 1,3-Butylene glycol 3 32.7 Magnesium sulfate 0.7 0.7 0.63 Hydrogenated maltose solution 0.5 0.50.45 Denatured 96° ethyl alcohol 13 13 11.7 TOTAL 100 100 100

Procedure

The constituents of phase A are weighed out in the main beaker and arestirred with a Moritz blender (1000 rpm) while maintaining at roomtemperature. Phase B is prepared separately by milling three times in athree-roll mill the mixture of pigments and of cyclopentasiloxane. Thisphase B is then added, with continued stirring, along with the fillers(phase C).

The aqueous phase D is also prepared separately, by weighing out in abeaker the butylene glycol, the magnesium sulfate, the hydrogenatedmaltose solution, and water at room temperature. The aqueous phase D isstirred using a magnetic bar until homogenized. C D E The emulsion ismade at room temperature: the aqueous phase D is poured into the fattyphase while gradually increasing the stirring speed (Moritz blender) upto 4000 rpm. Stirring is continued for 7 minutes. Finally, phase E(ethyl alcohol) is added for the last 3 minutes of 5 the emulsification.

Test

The system was tested with:

-   -   F1 in compartment A    -   F2 in compartment B    -   F3 in compartment C

M1 (the proportions in the mixture dispensed are volumetric): A 30%, B20%, C 50%

M2: A 30%, B 50%, C 20%

M3: A 30%, B 30%, C 40%

M1, M2, M3 are applied to different areas of the face. Different colorsare obtained, and different mattness/shine results.

G) System for Customizing One's Foundation Depending on the State ofOne's Skin

The present invention relates to methods and systems for dispensing,notably a makeup product.

Many people wish to make themselves up in order to enhance theirappearance, particularly their face.

There are two types of reason why these people may wish to do this:

-   -   to conceal certain imperfections, such as blemishes, wrinkles or        pores,    -   to enhance the look of the face by changes of color.

In these different cases, the operation involves supplying a coloredsubstance and covering the skin or an area of skin therewith.

In order to obtain an attractive effect, the person needs to make thecorrect choice of colored substance.

In the first of the cases given above, the operation may be complicatedbecause the face comprises a whole range of colors.

Thus, if the person wishes to cover only a few areas of the face, byattempting to make the color added coincide with the natural color ofthe surrounding skin, he or she needs to find the color suited to eacharea of the face, a task rendered all the more difficult by the factthat the coverage of the product and the thickness of the layer applied,together with the color and surface condition of the underlying skin orthe greasiness thereof may influence the result.

Bearing these difficulties in mind, people seeking to concealimperfections on their face adopt the habit of covering the entire face.This then gets around the problem of choosing the colored substancedepending on the area of the face.

However, because of the uniformity it brings, the result detracts fromthe natural appearance of the face.

In the second case, the operation is not simple either because it isdifficult to find a colored substance which best suits the appearance ofthe face. In particular, it is difficult to find the color of one'scoloring, particularly if looking for a bold color different from one'snatural coloring. Some people would like to choose sun-kissed colors orother shades of different coloring, but do not do so out of fear thatthe color will not suit them. And if they do, they often give up,disappointed. When not disappointed by the result, they no longer darechange color.

The same goes for makeup applied to the lips, cheeks and eyelids.

Users also need to be able to alter the quality, durability and comfortof their makeup depending on the time, the weather or season, but alsothe location on the face. Usually, by using a product with a high fillercontent, the makeup is suited to relatively greasy areas in order toconfer mattness thereon throughout the day. However, this solution isnot satisfactory, since it can lead to discomfort problems in otherareas of the skin, and it tends to generate an unattractive makeupresult in dry areas. The use of composition rich in mositurizing agentsuch as glycols, for example glycerol, makes it possible to make up theentire face, including the driest areas. However, this solution is notvery satisfactory for other areas of the face. The example of the areaaround the nose is a typical example. The area under the nose is oftendry, thus requiring the application of a formulation containing amoisturizing agent. A few centimeters away, the sides of the nose areoften greasy and are poorly suited to the application of a moisturizingproduct, causing shininess and discomfort, thus requiring theapplication of a formulation containing fillers for conferring mattnessthroughout the day.

Changes in the weather (from day to day and during the year) complicatethe problem.

The simplest possible solution is sought to solve this problem.

Moreover, there is a desire to be able to control the color or thecoverage of the products.

This complicates the situation.

It is possible to use several products of different colors and/orcoverage, but these generally have unsuitable levels of comfort andquality of the makeup. Thus, even if a single area becomesuncomfortable, on account of the comfort being poorly adapted to thearea, the comfort as a whole becomes a source of concern, even resultingin the makeup being abandoned. Similarly, if a single area has a defectin the quality of the makeup, on account of being poorly adapted to thearea, the quality of the makeup as a whole becomes a source of concern,even resulting in the makeup being abandoned.

A solution is required for giving access to an entire range of colorsand covering levels, which can be applied to one and the same facewithout causing problems with comfort and quality of the makeup.

There are very few solutions for solving these problems.

A first approach is to buy numerous products and try them all out. Thisapproach is costly and often gives rise to waste insofar as only a smallnumber of the colored substances tried are generally kept.

A second approach is to test out various products in store. That is notalways suitable, because it is very difficult to get a feeling for theresults in just a few moments and at a location missing the usuallandmarks. In particular, in order to fully assess the makeup effect instore, it would be necessary to be able to have the same lighting aswill be found in future conditions of use, and this is something that israrely possible. In general, it is only by testing out makeup over thecourse of a day that one can determine whether or not it is suitable interms of the result and comfort. In addition, while certain stores haveadvisers and allow testing, this is not the case for a large number ofother sales outlets and Internet sales.

Another approach has been tested but not developed. This is to createone's products by hand by mixing several coloured products. This mayprove relatively difficult to do because it is not very easy toreproduce the same mixture exactly a number of times over, and it isawkward to quickly create the mixtures one needs at the moment ofapplying the makeup.

Dispensers for dispensing a cosmetic composition of variable color arealso known.

Of the tests that have been able to be attempted for automating themanufacture of a customized cosmetic composition, many are those inwhich the proposed solutions allow mixtures to be created in quantitiesof around 100 g or sometimes less, but not in the very small proportionsgenerally needed by a person applying makeup, namely in the region ofone gram or much less.

In order to illustrate this problem, consider the case of somebodywishing to hide two imperfections in the region of one cm2 on her face.For the first area, she needs to find the corresponding mixture, thendeliver a very small quantity, for example around 10 mg, thereof. Forthe second, she needs to change the setting of the dispenser, then, onceagain, deliver a very small quantity.

Therefore, for a great many people, choosing the colored substances thatwill yield the best results remains a difficult matter.

There is therefore a need to make searching for a makeup product thatmeets the expectations of a consumer and that allows this consumer tocreate mixtures under reliable conditions and in various quantitieseasier.

Therefore, according to certain aspects, the invention seeks to make iteasier to make up the face, and notably to find the products best suitedto the various areas thereof in terms of comfort and quality of themakeup.

There is also a need to improve the dispensing systems for deliveringproducts of variable color, in order notably to make these easier to useand improve the quality of the makeup.

There is also a need to apply to the same face several products withingredient contents chosen to suit the state of the skin.

In particular, people can have areas of the face that are marked to agreater or lesser extent and thus require different concealingstrengths. It is therefore advantageous to be able to have a means forproducing formulations with different types of ingredients in order tooptimize the comfort and the quality of the makeup with regard to thecharacteristics of the area.

There is therefore a need to improve the dispensing systems fordelivering products of variable color while regulating the ingredients,in order notably to optimize the comfort and the quality of the makeupwith regard to the characteristics of the area.

According to its eighth aspect, the invention is based upon a dispensingsystem that allows mixtures to be generated from base products. Thesebase products may be of different colors, such that the color of themixture can be varied. The base products may even make it possible tovary the proportions of fillers and moisturizing agent in the mixture,such that the comfort and the quality of the makeup resulting fromapplying the mixture to human keratin materials varies, being fairlyclose to that of said materials. The base products may also vary thecolor and the coverage. Thus, the idea of color is to be understood in abroad sense and encompasses mixtures of which the color varies afterapplication as a result of variations in their level of coverage and inthe color of the underlying skin.

According to an eighth of its aspects, the subject of the invention is asystem for dispensing a product, comprising a dispenser that receives atleast two cartridges that each have a reservoir containing first andsecond base products, respectively, the first base product comprising amoisturizing agent, the second base product comprising a filler, thedispenser making it possible to deliver at least these two base productsin adjustable proportions.

According to this eighth aspect, the invention may have one or more ofthe following features:

-   -   the moisturizing agent is chosen from polyols, urea and        derivatives thereof, such as notably hydroxyalkyl urea, in        particular hydroxyethylurea, hyaluronic acid, glycine,        β-alanine, taurine, trimethyl glycine, and mixtures thereof,        preferably chosen from polyols such as ethylene glycol,        pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, propylene glycol, glycerol,        polyglycerols, polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof, and        more preferably chosen from propylene glycol and glycerol,    -   the particle size D50 by volume of the particles of the filler        is between 100 nm and 1 mm, better still between 1 micron and        100 microns, even better still between 2 microns and 50 microns,    -   the filler is chosen from talc, mica, silica, kaolin,        poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylene powder,        tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, nylon powders, polymethyl        methacrylate powders, lauroyllysine, starch, boron nitride,        hollow polymer microspheres such as those of polyvinylidene        chloride/acrylonitrile, acrylic acid copolymer microspheres,        silicone resin microbeads, polyorganosiloxane elastomer        particles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,        magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate,        aluminum oxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow        silica microspheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules, the        particles that are in the form of hollow sphere portions, and        mixtures thereof, and is preferably chosen from talc, mica,        silica, nylon powders, polymethyl methacrylate powders, and        mixtures thereof, and is even more preferably talc,    -   the filler may have a coating comprising at least one lipophilic        or hydrophobic compound,    -   the first base product and the second base product comprise an        inverse emulsion,    -   the mass content of filler in the second base product is greater        than or equal to 0.5% by mass relative to the mass of the second        product, and preferably greater than 1% by mass relative to the        mass of the second product,    -   the dispensing system comprises a third cartridge with a third        base product,    -   the cartridges are received in a removable manner in the        dispenser,    -   each product leaves the cartridge through an outlet passage of        the cartridge, the outlet passage being defined by a dispensing        end piece of the cartridge, said end piece being driven in        rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drive        mechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base product        contained in the cartridge.

According to this eighth aspect, a subject of the invention is also amethod for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product to humankeratin materials, comprising the setting of the dispenser depending onthe area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

According to its eighth aspect, the invention is based on a dispensingsystem having compartments containing at least two differentformulations. They may contain different inverse emulsions, one with aconcentration of fillers, the other with a concentration of moisturizingagent such as glycols, for example glycerol.

The system may be programmed to deliver, for each location on the face,the best mixture in terms of mattness, color, coverage and comfort(containing neither too much or too little in the way of fillers, nortoo much or tool little in the way of moisturizing agent). The systemmay also be used to vary the level of fillers and moisturizing agentdepending on the state of the time or the state of the present or futureweather (for example more moisturizing for winter, comprising morefillers for summer).

Dispensing System

The dispensing system may consist of a single device operatingautonomously, preferably able to be manipulated in one hand, or of adevice that operates in interaction with other components or devices. Itmay for example entail various outlet interfaces which are mounted onthe dispenser depending on the type of makeup to be created, as will bespecified below. It may also entail a computer system which exchangesinformation with the dispenser in order to operate the latter, thiscomputer system comprising, for example, a portable terminal such as asmartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a dedicatedterminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s. Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20and 100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thuspossible to easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensingsystem is therefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, forcovering an area of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the shade, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the shade to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severalbase products with different proportions of fillers and moisturizingagent.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is dispensed whilethe other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped. Such a dispensing system is especiallysuited to liners, glosses and other formulations applied without directcontact with the hands. This container may be removable.

For example, it is used as a lip-color dispenser and has a dispensingsystem, for example using a screw. When it is not removable, thecontainer may be produced with the body of the dispenser. When it isremovable, it may constitute one output interface among others that canbe mounted on the dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture

A to a mixture B several times in succession. In the case of applicationby spraying, a multilayer application can thus be achieved, withdifferent formulations for two superposed adjacent coats. Another modemakes it possible for example to offer several preprogrammed successivemixtures, the computer system each time indicating to the user how theseshould be used, for example by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the person isfully made up.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

According to its eighth aspect, the invention is based on a dispensingsystem having compartments containing at least two differentformulations. They may contain different inverse emulsions. One with aconcentration of fillers. The other with a concentration of moisturizingagent.

Fillers

These fillers are colorless or white solid particles of any form, whichare in a form that is insoluble and dispersed in the medium of thecomposition.

As illustrations of these fillers, mention may be made of talc, mica,silica, kaolin, poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylene powder,tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders (Teflon), nylon powders, polymethylmethacrylate powders, lauroyllysine, starch, boron nitride, hollowpolymer microspheres such as those of polyvinylidenechloride/acrylonitrile, for instance Expancel® (Nobel Industrie),acrylic acid copolymer microspheres, silicone resin microbeads (forexample Tospearls® from Toshiba), polyorganosiloxane elastomerparticles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate, aluminumoxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow silicamicrospheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules. Use may also be madeof particles that are in the form of hollow sphere portions, asdescribed in the patent applications JP-2003 128 788 and JP-2000 191789.

The fillers may have a coating comprising at least one lipophilic orhydrophobic compound.

The filler is other than a colored pigment conferring a color on thecomposition, such as a nacre or an iron oxide.

Moisturizing Agent

A “moisturizing agent” is understood, according to the presentinvention, to be any compound capable of penetrating into the stratumcorneum and of keeping the latter moisturized.

The moisturizing agents that are usable according to the invention arenotably chosen from polyols, urea and its derivatives, such as notablyhydroxyalkyl urea, in particular hydroxyethylurea such as the productsold under the trade name Hydrovance® by the company Akzo Nobel,hyaluronic acid, glycine, β-alanine, taurine, trimethyl glycine, andmixtures thereof.

Within the meaning of the present invention, a “polyol” is understood tobe any organic molecule comprising at least two free hydroxyl groups.

According to one particular form, the polyol may be chosen from sugarssuch as trehalose, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, a polyol according to the present invention is present inliquid form at room temperature.

A polyol that is suitable for use in the invention may be a compound oflinear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated alkyl type, bearingon the alkyl chain at least two —OH functions, in particular at leastthree —OH functions and more particularly at least four —OH functions.

The polyols that are advantageously suitable for formulating acomposition according to the present invention are those especiallycontaining from 2 to 32 carbon atoms and preferably 3 to 16 carbonatoms.

Advantageously, the polyol may be chosen, for example, from ethyleneglycol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, propylene glycol,1,3-propanediol, butylene glycol, isoprene glycol, pentylene glycol,hexylene glycol, glycerol, polyglycerols, such as glycerol oligomers,for instance diglycerol, and polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said polyol ischosen from ethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane,propylene glycol, glycerol, polyglycerols, polyethylene glycols andmixtures thereof.

According to a particular mode, the composition of the invention maycomprise at least propylene glycol and/or glycerol.

Inverse Emulsions/Anhydrous Compositions

According to the invention, when a composition is said to be in the formof an inverse emulsion, it will be understood that it can alsoalternately be in another form depending on the composition in question.

A base product may be in the form of an emulsion, for example an O/W,W/O, O/W/O or W/O/W emulsion, and preferably a W/O inverse emulsion, orin the form of an anhydrous composition, comprising notably carbon-basedcompounds and/or silicone compounds, such as hydrocarbon-based oilsand/or silicone oils.

The emulsions according to the eighth aspect of the invention arepreferably water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, also known as inverseemulsions, namely constituted of an oily continuous phase in which theaqueous phase is dispersed in the form of droplets so as to observe amixture that is macroscopically homogeneous to the naked eye.

Use for Making Up One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, day after day, withonly the areas that need to be hidden being treated. To this end, smalldoses of makeup are delivered, and are applied specifically andsequentially to the corresponding areas. Each small dose is createdusing the mixture suited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below. As an alternative, the dispensingsystem informs the person, when delivering a mixture, of the area towhich the person is to apply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing systemmay follow an application program in which it delivers, in a givenorder, the various mixtures that are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the color, the area of the face and thequantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and wastageof product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoiding occlusioneffects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that have a highcovering capability and provide too much cover to be applied to thewhole of the face. Thus, it is possible to obtain makeup of natural oreven undetectable appearance.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

The dispensing system is suited to treating the areas that are to beconcealed, without having to conceal the entire face.

It may also be used to conceal one or more marks, while adapting theproduct for the best comfort and the best quality of the makeup withregard to the area.

In an especially advantageous variant, the system may be used to applyto the base of the face a formulation with little concealing effect andthen one or two applications to precise areas of the face offormulations that are more concealing, all with the best comfort and thebest quality of the makeup with regard to each area. It is also possibleto start with applications to the precise areas of the face ofconcealing formulations and then to apply to the base of the face anapplication of a formulation that is less concealing.

In the second case, time is taken, before applying the second layer, towait for the film produced by the application to the precise areas tobecome sufficiently cohesive so that the second layer does not removethe first layer.

Alternatively, the second layer is applied without rubbing (spray forexample, or sponge).

When the user is looking for the color to apply to an area of the face,it is advantageous to memorize the color best suited to each area, andthe dispensing system is thus advantageously designed to memorize thiscolor and the corresponding area. Thus, by using the memorizedinformation, on each use, the same mixture can be delivered for eacharea or, if several areas are being treated, the same series of mixturescan be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the colors application after application. Thus, theperson may make up her lips using different colors that she chooses on aday-by-day basis to suit her tastes. This approach is also suitable forthe eyelids or eyelashes, and for face makeup because the person mayfancy a change of foundation color. For example, on weekdays, the personapplies a pale colored foundation, with a more tanned foundation colorat the weekends, or may have eye makeup in one color one day and anothercolor another day. Idem for variations in the proportions of fillers andmoisturizing agent in order to have the best comfort and the bestquality of the makeup for each area.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change colorto suit her tastes according to the day, the time, what she is wearing,and the weather. Thus, a system to assist with decision making isadvantageously provided to guide the user in her choices of color(broadly speaking) and the proportions of fillers and moisturizingagent.

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing the colors onthe same face and contribute toward a successful overall makeup look,all with an ideal makeup result and comfort for each area and thus anoptimal makeup result and comfort over the entire face.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Makeup with Graduated Moisturizing/Matting

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product. In addition, the outletfor the base products or for the mixture is moved relative to acontainer or a support defining an application surface. In oneparticular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isdesigned to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves as a functionof the moisturizing/matting C1 of one area to be treated and of themoisturizing/matting C2 of another area to be treated. For example, withthe knowledge that the chin requires a moisturizing/matting C1 and thatthe cheek requires a moisturizing/matting C2, the dispensing system mayvary the formulation of the mixture while it is delivering it in orderto carry out a treatment between these two points. This makes itpossible for example to better conceal imperfections of the face whileensuring that the end result is comfortable and that the makeup is ofquality, even if areas of skin with different states are covered. Thedispensing system may also be designed such that the user can command avariation in moisturizing/matting of the mixture dispensed without thestart and/or end moisturizing/matting having been set beforehand. To dothat, the dispensing system may possess a location or auto-locationsystem and deduce from a look-up table the moisturizing/matting C1 andthe moisturizing/matting C2 that it is to create and therefore thechanges in the mixture that it has to make.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition.

These compositions may contain absorbent particles or reactivecompounds, such as those that react in contact with the air, for examplecyanoacrylate or alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notablyUV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

The products, of different coverage, will exhibit differentmoisturizing/matting, suitable for the different states of the skin.

Creation of Color Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of colors suited to various parts ofthe face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

The products in the palette may exhibit different moisturizing/matting.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

Preferably, the dispensing system has a cup and a dispenser for fillingthe cup with at least one product, the cup being secured to thedispenser at least while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the making up to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of colored substancesand/or allow the preparation of several different moisturizing/mattingmixtures intended for making up respective areas of the face. The cupsmay be associated with identifiers that remind the user of the area ofthe face for which a mixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Preferably, the size and shape of the cupeither allow direct application of the mixture to the skin or allow themixture to be picked up on a finger or using an applicator. The cup maybe made of an elastically deformable material, making it possible forexample to turn the concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out andempty it more easily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a makeupproduct, comprising the step of filling a cup of a dispensing system asdefined above with at least one base product from the dispenser.

The products, with different coverage, will have equivalentmattness/shine effects.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

One subject of the invention is a dispensing system having a dispenserhaving outlet passages for base products and an outlet interface that isseparable from the dispenser, this interface having a static blenderthat preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity where it can bepicked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

According to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to use severaloutlet interfaces and to fill them with different respective mixtures,without the need to purge the blender, thereby reducing losses ofproduct. The outlet interface may be a single-use interface, ifnecessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the color ormoisturizing/matting of the mixture to be varied as quickly as possibleduring application, particularly when the dispenser is coupled to anairbrush.

A further subject of the invention is a system for dispensing a makeupproduct, having a dispenser that receives at least two cartridges thateach have a reservoir containing a base product, the latter leaving thecartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge, this outletpassage opening to outside of the dispenser or near the external surfacethereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the outside of the housingof the dispenser in the absence of an outlet interface. The mountingarea may be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks easily and be able, if so desired, to make upareas as different as the skin, the lips, the eyelashes or eyebrows.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a dispensing system comprising an assembly comprising adispenser of at least one cosmetic, notably makeup, product and at leasttwo outlet interfaces, each of which can be mounted removably on thedispenser, these outlet interfaces which are able to receive the productor products delivered by the dispenser preferably being chosen fromamong the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method involving the stepof selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing moisturizing/matting with an area, with recording.

It may be the case that a person requires several levels ofmoisturizing/matting with a single color and/or coverage for all areas.

It may also be the case that she requires several levels of coveragewith one level of moisturizing/matting on one part of the face andanother level of moisturizing/matting for another area. For example, shehas several marks on the forehead and several marks on the cheeks. Thus,she may want to create several levels of coverage for the forehead witha given level of moisturizing/matting for this surface. She may want tocreate several levels of coverage for the cheeks with one level ofmoisturizing/matting for this surface.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of colored substance may be applied with a finger,using conventional tools such as brushes, or using specialistapplicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriatemoisturizing/matting.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same moisturizing/matting is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies moisturizing/matting, then makesan assessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the moisturizing/matting is suited. The mixture is thenindexed in the computer system which attributes it to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable.

A subject of the invention is also a learning process for a dispensingsystem, comprising a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of variablemoisturizing/matting, and a computer system for selectingmoisturizing/matting and for storing data, comprising the steps of:

a) selecting at least one moisturizing/matting with the aid of aninterface of the computer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture withthe selected moisturizing/matting,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face,

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for making up said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outletsto advise people wishing to apply makeup or at home in order to definecorrectly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the moisturizing/matting of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for a referenceof a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics of themixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area, and torelay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture moisturizing/matting at least on the basis of the imageanalyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user amoisturizing/matting and an area to be tested with a mixture of this moisturi zing/m atting

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least onemoisturizing/matting of mixture in step a) depending on an applicationarea of which it has been informed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of a moisturizing/matting of which it hasbeen informed by the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two mixtures ofdifferent moisturizing/matting, preferably separate, so that they can beapplied simultaneously to the test area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of making up using adispensing system according to this aspect of the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need formakeup,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposedmoisturizing/matting for making up an associated zone, on the basis ofthe learning performed beforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the mixture ofthe proposed moisturizing/matting, notably if this is validated by theuser.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one moisturizing/matting        and/or one application area, notably using an interface such as        a touch screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture of        moisturizing/matting selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the        moisturizing/matting of the mixture and of an associated        application area, notably with a view to subsequently dispensing        the same mixture, notably on the same area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for makeup,        notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one moisturizing/matting        and/or one application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the mixture of the proposed        moisturizing/matting, notably if this is validated by the user.

The person may incorporate into the map the level of mattness/shine thatshe desires for each area of the face, area by area or set of areas byset of areas. The system will then interpret the mixtures it needs tocreate to ensure the moisturizing/matting and coverage desired and thewanted mattness/shine.

The map may subsequently be modified. Thus, it is possible to create themap in terms of the colors in the first instance, and then refine themap by subsequently defining the levels of moisturizing/matting.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is thus a method of applying makeup involving the steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the moisturizing/matting of a mixture        dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image to the second site,        so as to receive in return information relating to the makeup        result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the makeup result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser to alter themoisturizing/matting of the mixture and adapt it to best suit the faceof the person present at the first site. Thus, this person controls themixture delivered by the dispenser. The first person may make herself upunder the gaze of the second. The second person sees the result of thetest on their screen and can thus correct the mixture that this secondperson will control remotely until the ideal makeup is obtained.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup appliedat the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine themoisturizing/matting of each of the base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup. This embodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists andtheir work, either within an institute or over the Internet. It alsoallows people with limited capabilities, such as people with pooreyesight, or people who have difficulty discerning moisturizing/matting,or the elderly, or those lacking in self-confidence to apply makeup.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the moisturizing/matting of the mixture dispensed.

A further subject of the invention is a dispensing system having adispenser and a computer system for operating the dispenser, thiscomputer system having a touch screen on which the moisturizing/mattingof the mixture can be displayed, and a selection means movable on thescreen, in order to vary the moisturizing/matting of the dispensedmixture.

Preferably, the screen displays moisturizing/matting end points betweenwhich the moisturizing/matting of the mixture can be selected by movingthe selection means between these moisturizing/matting end points.

The screen may display a scale of moisturizing/matting between at leasttwo levels, or an area, notably of triangular outline, within which theselection means can be moved. This area may locally show themoisturizing/matting of the mixture depending for example on thedistance from each of the vertices, each one embodying a pure baseproduct.

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired moisturizing/matting.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

A subject of the invention is also an assembly comprising:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent moisturizing/matting.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate themoisturizing/matting depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for applying makeup usingan assembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto theskin using the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the moisturizing/matting of the mixturedispensed while the face is being made up, notably as the area to bemade up changes.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.05 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

Examples of dispensing systems suitable for implementing the inventionaccording to its eighth aspect are shown in the above-described figures,which therefore will not all be described in detail again.

FIG. 29C illustrates a support having spaces disposed thereonsubstantially in the manner of the different areas of a face; each spacemay contain a mixture, the moisturizing/matting of which is suited tothe corresponding part of the face. Thus it is easy for the user to knowwhere to apply the mixture picked up from a given space.

The dispenser 11 can be used to deliver a mixture, the formulation ofwhich changes over time, and to collect the mixture in a container thatis movable with respect to the dispenser, such that the mixture isdeposited in a location of the container that varies over time, in orderto achieve a graduated effect.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the dispensing systemhas an outlet interface 110 having a part that is fixed relative to thedispenser and a moving part 252 that has a space 253 for receiving themixture.

For example, the dispenser 11 is arranged in this case with the outletorifices of the cartridges downward and is equipped with a blender suchthat the mixture falls into the space 253 under its own weight. A motormay move the moving part of the outlet interface relative to thedispenser, in a manner that is synchronized with the variation incharacteristics of the mixture, such that a graduated effect is obtainedall along the space 253, as illustrated in FIG. 29B.

The dispensing system may have a stand 254 which keeps the dispenserhead down.

The outlet interface 110, notably when it comprises a cup, may have astatic blender which mixes the base products.

FIGS. 17 to 21 show an outlet interface 110 having such a staticblender.

This outlet interface 110 may have an exterior body 260 which is fixedto the housing of the dispenser 11 and has an exterior tubular upright270.

The body 260 has passages 261 for admitting the various base products.These passages 261 open into a central chamber 262 delimited by aninterior tubular upright 263.

This upright 263 has an opening 264 passing through it, which opens intoan annular space 265 between the interior upright 263 and the exteriorupright 270.

FIGS. 31 to 37 show various examples of touch-sensitive interfaces thatmay allow the user to select the moisturizing/matting of the mixtureresulting from the metered dispensing of the various base products.

This interface may have, as illustrated in FIG. 31, amoisturizing/matting selection area, for example in the form of atriangle, the vertices of which correspond to the moisturizing/mattingof each of the base products contained in the cartridges.

The user can move a cursor 300, for example in the form of a ball,relative to the vertices A, B and C of the triangle.

The closer he brings the cursor 300 to one of the vertices, the largerthe fraction of the corresponding base product relative to the totalquantity of the various products dispensed.

The fraction of each product relative to the total quantity may beindicated at 301 by a numerical value on the interface.

The interface may allow the user to increment or decrease the quantityof each of the products, for example by operating control buttons 302,which allow precise adjustment of the quantity of each of the baseproducts.

The surface of the triangle 310 may have a moisturizing/matting thatvaries locally so as to be indicative at each point of themoisturizing/matting of the mixture that results from the weighting ofthe various base products in the proportions corresponding to therelative coordinates at this point.

The interface may have a button 305 providing access to a specific menufor adjusting the volume of product dispensed for purging the dispenser.

The interface may also advantageously allow the flow rate of product tobe adjusted using buttons 304 and 306 returning to a specific menu foradjusting the flow rate.

In the example in question, the interface affords the choice between acontinuous dispensing mode, using the button 304, in which the productsare dispensed for as long as the user is pressing the control button 12.

The corresponding dose can be transmitted to the interface anddisplayed.

The button 306 allows selection of a dose mode of operation, duringwhich even a brief press of the button 12 triggers the dispensing of apredefined dose.

In order to vary the flow rate, the dispenser acts, for example, on theoperating duty cycle of the motors.

The interface may be designed to allow the user to program or memorizethe settings he or she prefers, using a menu 307 providing access tofavorites.

The touch-sensitive interface illustrated in FIG. 32 shows on the screenthree colored areas 400, each one corresponding to themoisturizing/matting of one of the base products contained in thedispenser 10, and a central area 410 which shows themoisturizing/matting of the resulting mixture.

The relative quantity of each of the base products can be adjusted usingcursors 415 which move for example along lines joining each of the areas400 to the central area 410.

During use of the interface, the latter may memorize a given setting andcause a button 420 of the moisturizing/matting of the mixture to appearon the screen. The user can then, simply by pressing this button 420,dispense a mixture of the corresponding moisturizing/matting.

In the example in FIG. 34, the interface displays, in an area 500, agiven shade and offers the user, by virtue of control buttons 510 thatare each for the moisturizing/matting of the corresponding base product,the opportunity to increase or decrease the proportion of this baseproduct in the final mixture. The moisturizing/matting of the area 500is recalculated depending on the actions on the control buttons 510.

In the variant in FIG. 35, the interface shows a color chart havingseveral areas 530, each one corresponding to a particular proportion ofthe various base products.

The user may select one of these areas, for example by pressing it withhis or her finger.

The interface may be designed to display the selectedmoisturizing/matting to a larger scale in an area 535. The programmingof the dispenser 11 to dispense this moisturizing/matting is triggeredfor example by pressing the area.

In the example in FIG. 36, the user may move a cursor 555 over acontinuous moisturizing/matting chart 550, causing the selectedmoisturizing/matting to be displayed in an area 558.

The user can then, for example by pressing the area 556, trigger thesending to the dispenser 11 of the necessary instructions for thedispenser to dispense a product in the selected moisturizing/matting.

It is apparent from FIG. 37 that the interface can memorize the variousshades selected and then display them on the screen so as to allow theuser, by pressing corresponding buttons 560, very easily to again selecta shade that has already been chosen.

FIG. 38 shows an example of a user interface 1000 of a dispensing systemcomprising a dispenser, preferably as described above, and a computersystem 100 to which the interface belongs.

The computer system comprises here, for example, a device such as alaptop computer, a tablet or a smartphone, that operates autonomously oris connected to a remote server.

In the example in question, the interface 1000 is defined by the touchscreen of such a device. In a variant that has not been illustrated, thedispenser incorporates a touch screen or any other type of man-machineinterface, and can be used without connection to another device.

The device runs an application, for example which has been downloadedbeforehand and which displays on the screen a face 1035 and a series ofbuttons allowing the user to input information.

The face may comprise several areas Z1 to Z6 that can be selected bytouch, for example the forehead, the nose, the cheeks, the eyelids, thechin, and the lips.

The buttons present on the screen may make it possible for example toinput the name of the makeup or of the user, to display the selectedarea, to choose the moisturizing/matting, and to inform the computersystem as to whether or not the result of the test carried out isacceptable, or even, as illustrated, to provide information regardingthe assessment of the result relative to a test carried out previously,namely, for example, better or “not as good”. The screen may alsodisplay a button allowing the choice of a moisturizing/matting and anarea to be memorized after a test has been carried out with thismoisturizing/matting on the area in question.

The choice of moisturizing/matting is made for example with amoisturizing/matting scale similar to the one described with referenceto FIG. 36.

The computer system is designed to memorize the data in the form of alook-up table for example, so as to associate an area of the face withthe parameters that allow the mixture dispensed during the test to bereproduced. These parameters include, for example, the relative contentsof each of the base products of the dispenser in the mixture, thequantity Q dispensed, and additional data such as, for example, the nameof the area, the date the mixture was dispensed and/or any other mixtureidentifier, identifiers of the base products, the period of the year,notably the season, the age of the user, his or her sex, his or hergiven or family name, the name of an event associated with the makeup,for example a birthday, amongst other data, and the quantity of productsuitable for the area. The ancillary data may allow the user toreproduce more easily a makeup look considered suitable for a time ofyear or recalling a life event, or to give a rejuvenating effect.

These data may be memorized in the computer system 100, for example inthe abovementioned device and/or on a remote server with which thedevice is in communication, or alternatively in an electronic memoryincorporated into the dispenser 11.

Thus, according to the invention, the user may make the dispenserdeliver a first colored substance, and apply it to a first area of theface, then judge whether or not it is suitable. If the result issatisfactory, the user may record it, indexing it to the area; if theresult is unsatisfactory, the user may command new moisturizing/mattingin order to repeat the above operations.

The computer system can be used in this context in various ways.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 40, in a step 1010, the user hasselected moisturizing/matting to test, using for example themoisturizing/matting scale 1011 displayed on the screen, by moving theadjusting button 1012.

Next, the choice of moisturizing/matting is transmitted to the dispenser11, in step 1015.

For example, the device transmits the quantities of each of the baseproducts to be dispensed and the electronic circuit 81 takes charge ofoperating the motors accordingly.

In step 1016, the user presses the control button 12 of the dispenser11, this causing, for example, a dose of the mixture, with themoisturizing/matting selected by the user, to be dispensed.

The mixture is, for example, dispensed into the cup 115 then picked upand applied by the user to the cheeks or any other area instructed onthe interface, in step 1020.

In variants, the product is applied using an airbrush or by any othermeans as described above.

The user then, in step 1022, informs the computer system of the resultusing the buttons 1021.

If the user indicates that the result is satisfactory, the systemsuggests for example that he/she validate the parameters of the testusing a button so as to memorize these parameters in step 1031.

If the user does not consider the result to be satisfactory and makesthis known using the button 1032, the result can nevertheless beautomatically saved in step 1034.

Thus, each area can be indexed not only with the suitablemoisturizing/matting, but also with the moisturizing/matting that is notat all suited to this area.

The user can then perform a further test on the same area by returningto step 1010.

If the user is satisfied with the result, he or she may also wish tocarry out a further test, for example on a different area of the face.

If appropriate, if the user is not satisfied, the interface may suggestthat the user indicate whether the result is considered better than ornot as good as the previous test, using corresponding buttons 1040 and1041.

In that case, the computer system may be designed to determine whether,in light of the information input by the user, a proposal can beautomatically made as to what moisturizing/matting to test next.

If appropriate, a questionnaire may be displayed to assist the computersystem in proposing moisturizing/matting in light of the tests carriedout and the way in which the user or a professional assisting the userhas assessed these tests.

For example, if the moisturizing/matting is considered “unsuitable”, thesystem may receive from the user additional information, for example“too greasy” or “too dry”, which will assist the system in proposing newmoisturizing/matting better suited to the user's expectations.

It may be advantageous for the computer system to be able to receiveinformation comparing the result against the previous tests, for example“it's better” or “it's not as good” and, from there, for the system tobe capable of deducing what new moisturizing/matting to propose.

Another option is for the computer system to be able to receivecomparison information regarding a comparison against a target, forexample “it's almost ideal” and, from there, for the system to becapable of automatically adjusting its moisturizing/mattingmodifications.

In this particular instance, if it receives the information that thedesired result has almost been achieved, the system can adopt smalllevels of moisturizing/matting change and revise the moisturizing scaleof adjustment accordingly.

If the dispensing system itself proposes the colored mixtures to betested, these may be based on preprogrammed test scenarios and thesystem may alter how the scenario is followed through according to thesuccesses or failures of the assessment. Thus, for example if, from thethird application of product, it receives information that themoisturizing/matting is almost ideal for the user, the dispensing systemmay exit the program and thereafter allow itself to be guided byinstructions from the operator.

In general, the user may be assisted by an expert system in the choiceof moisturizing/matting to test.

This expert system is, for example, a program run on the device withwhich the dispenser communicates or on the dispenser itself, and whichis based on the answers to a questionnaire and/or on measurements, forexample of the moisturizing/matting of the skin, taken by a specificsensor or by a camera. The user can thus get assistance from aninstrumented evaluation, for example a sensor of the state of dryness ofthe skin or greasiness of the skin. The expert system can even beimplemented on a remote server with which the device or the dispenserexchanges information. The operator may even send an image of his or herface to a specialist, who can preprogram the startingmoisturizing/matting choice. In another exemplary embodiment, the userpresents the computer system with a photo of his or her face, and thecomputer system is designed to analyze this and create a programdefining the areas to be tested and the first products to be delivered,both in terms of moisturizing/matting and in terms of quantity. Forexample, the computer system may be designed to automatically select themoisturizing/matting of makeup to propose to the user by capturing aphotograph in step 1070, as illustrated in FIG. 42. For example, thedevice which communicates with the dispenser 11 is equipped with acamera, and the user takes a photograph of his or her face. The image isthen analyzed in step 1071, and moisturizing/matting is proposed foreach area of the face in step 1072, for example in accordance withpredefined moisturizing/matting combination rules.

The dispensing system may be oriented by the user to decide on themoisturizing/matting and also on the quantity of product to bedelivered. For example, the user may indicate “nose” or “blemish” andthe dispensing system is designed to adapt the dose dispensed accordingto a memorized map of doses to be dispensed depending on the areas to betreated.

The computer system may guide the user in the choice of colors in themixture to be tested, so as to limit the number of tests needed untilthe user obtains a result that pleases him or her.

It is thus possible, as illustrated in FIG. 41, that after a mixturedispensed by the dispenser has been applied to a given area of the facein step 1060, the computer system will ask the user whether or not theresult is satisfactory and will, of its own accord, if the result isconsidered to be unsatisfactory, make a change 1061 to the dispenserparameters in order to modify the mixture dispensed.

The user then only has to perform a new test with the modified mixture.

When a mixture is indicated as being satisfactory, the computer systemcan memorize the corresponding parameters so as to allow the mixture tobe recreated at a later date.

The system can then begin the above steps afresh for a new applicationarea.

During the successive tests, the operator does not need to treat theentire face. He or she may for example choose between 3 and 8, forexample 5, small areas. The dispensing system is then advantageouslydesigned to interpolate and/or extrapolate the data regarding themoisturizing/matting considered to be suitable, so as to calculate themoisturizing/matting that ought to be considered suitable for areas forwhich the exercise has not been conducted.

At the end of the learning stage, the system may generate a display ofthe suitable moisturizing/matting on the various areas, tested orcalculated.

The dispensing system may be designed to indicate whether certainmoisturizing/matting levels appear to be incorrect, doing so on thestrength of a comparison against standard maps it has in memory. Thus,it may propose that the user repeat all or some of the mapping exercise.

Once the computer system has completed its learning, i.e. once themoisturizing/matting levels of mixtures have been identified as beingagreeable to the user for making-up certain areas, the user wishing toapply makeup only has to call up the area that is to be made up, in step1080 of FIG. 43, and the system will be able to automatically propose asuitable moisturizing/matting of mixture to the user in step 1081.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 44, the user selectsmoisturizing/matting in step 1090 and the computer system proposes, instep 1091, an area in which to apply a mixture of thismoisturizing/matting, on the basis of information previously collectedon the basis of the tests performed.

The area proposed is, for example, the area in which identical or verysimilar moisturizing/matting has already been applied and the resultconsidered acceptable by the user.

FIG. 46 illustrates an example of an implementation of the invention inwhich, having carried out tests on various zones in step 2010, the userinforms the system of the mixture(s) he or she considers to afford thebest result, this allowing the system to know the correspondingparameters in step 2012. Next, in step 2014, the system may propose tothe user references of commercial products that have the same propertiesor very similar properties.

In one variant, the system sends the parameters to a remotemanufacturing center so that a composition that has the same formulationor the same properties as that of the mixture that the user has testedand found to be satisfactory can be produced.

FIG. 45 illustrates the possibility of using the dispenser to dispenseseveral doses 2020 a to 2020 d of different mixtures, next to oneanother on a support 2021, so as to allow these to be applied toadjacent distinct regions of the same area.

The user can, in a single hit, apply a series of moisturizing/mattinglevels in order rapidly to home in on the appropriatemoisturizing/matting level. The colored substances present on thesupport 2021 may have been chosen by the operator him- or herself orproposed by the dispensing system.

The support 2021 is, for example, movable with respect to the housing ofthe dispenser and is moved sequentially to deposit the correspondingmixtures in the various areas 2020 a to 2020 d, being for examplesimilar to the supports described with reference to FIG. 29 or 29A. Theuser can thus easily compare the results between the various regions andinform the system of which mixture produces the best effect.

FIG. 47 illustrates a system that assists the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings.

This system makes it possible to establish a video link, for exampleover the Internet, between a camera 2060 at a first site 2061 and asecond site 2062.

The camera 2060 is, for example, built into a tablet or a smartphonethat constitutes the computer system 100.

The second site 2062 is allowed to operate the dispenser 11 present atthe first site 2061 either directly or indirectly.

Thus, the person present at the first site can apply the mixturedispensed and send to the second site 2062 a corresponding image, and inreturn receive information relating to the makeup result.

The second site 2062 may have a display screen 2064 that allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the result of the makeup with themixture dispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has appliedthe makeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser 11 toalter the moisturizing/matting of the mixture and adapt it to best suitthe face of the person present at the first site. The protocol for theexchange of data between the two sites thus allows command instructionsto be sent to the dispenser 11, either directly or via the computersystem 100 present at the first site. Thus, the person present at thesecond site controls the mixture delivered by the dispenser 11. Thefirst person may make herself up under the gaze of the second. Thesecond person sees the result of the test on their screen and can thuscorrect the mixture that this second person will control remotely untilthe ideal makeup is obtained.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link, suchthat the user present at the first site can see an image of the adviseron the screen of the computer system. This adviser can send the userpresent at the first site a tutorial if need be.

The memorizing of the setting parameters of the dispenser 11, once agiven mixture has been considered satisfactory, may be commanded fromthe second site.

The dispensing system may be designed to receive the map of somebodyelse, real or virtual. It may also combine the map of the person withthe map of another, in order to sublimate the makeup without losing theinherent characteristics.

The interface may be used to define makeup programs in which the orderof the areas to make up or the order of the moisturizing/matting statesto propose is defined.

Examples (Eighth Aspect of the Invention)

A dispenser 11 like that illustrated in FIG. 3 is created. The dispenseris designed to communicate with a tablet 100 such as an iPad. Thiscomputer system runs an application known as “μMix” developed in thespecific Apple environment (XCode 4 and iOS simulator) in the ObjectiveC language.

It uses Foundation, UIKit and CoreGraphics basic frameworks which supplythe tools for manipulating the data structures, computation tools andfunctionalities associated with the user graphics interface.

The application also uses the CoreBluetooth framework providing accessto the Bluetooth 4 Low Energy peripherals, with the following maintasks:

-   -   looking for Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy peripherals,    -   connection/disconnection and management of connection        parameters,    -   communication in read and/or write mode based on the GATT        (Generic Attribute Profile) architecture.

The application proposes the following functionalities:

-   -   definition of the fractions of base products,    -   choice of mode of operation when pressing the control button 12,        namely continuous, purge or dose,    -   display of a triangle of volumetric fraction as illustrated in        FIG. 30 with management of the volumetric fraction by tactile        touch on the triangle or using the +/− buttons associated with        each product,    -   Bluetooth connection/disconnection and real-time transfer of        instructions to the dispenser,    -   settings of flow rates in continuous mode, and of quantities in        dose mode,    -   calculation, display and transfer to the dispenser of the        volumetric fractions of products in real time, depending on the        instruction, with the sum of the fractions always equal to 100%,    -   collection and display of the torques of the three motors in        real time, and    -   saving of the key parameters in a configuration file.

The continuous mode is a dispensing mode in which the mixture of thethree base products is dispensed for as long as the user presses thedispensing button 12. The product is dispensed at a flow rate, anestimate of which is displayed above the “Continuous” button 304. Thechoice of flow rate is made in a “Settings” menu.

The “dose” mode is a mode of dispensing the mixture in doses, in whichthe dose is delivered after the user presses the dispensing button 12.One press is enough and the user can then release the button. Theoverall dose of product dispensed is that indicated above the “Dose”button 306, for example 0.1 ml. This volume can be altered in the“Settings” menu.

The “purge” mode is a dispensing mode in which a dose of mixture withequal volumetric fractions (33%) is delivered as soon as the user haspressed the dispensing button 12, as in the “dose” mode. One press isenough and the user can then release the button. When the dose has beendispensed in full, the button may be released. If the button is releasedbefore the end, dispensing stops, even if the specified volume has notbeen achieved. The overall dose of product dispensed is that indicatedabove a “Purge” button 305, for example 3 ml. This volume can be alteredin the Settings menu.

The user determines the desired moisturizing/matting with theapplication which is run on the tablet and which calculates thefractions of the various products. The tablet communicates this value tothe dispenser by a Bluetooth connection.

The electronics built into the dispenser 11 collects the information andautomatically adjusts the flow rates of the three cartridges so as toobtain a mixture of the desired moisturizing/matting.

When the user wishes to use the product, he or she presses the button 12of the dispenser in order to cause the product to be expelled. He or shepresses for as long as he or she wants product, in “continuous” mode. In“dose” mode, the user presses the button 12 once and the predefined doseis delivered.

Dispensing may be performed continuously, namely with the motorsoperating continuously, the entire volume being dispensed in one hit, oriteratively, the motors then operating in a pulsed fashion; in thatcase, the time interval between two pulses makes it possible to vary theflow rate. Small volumes are delivered one after another in severalstages.

The pulses may be separated for example by intervals of 50 ms, 100 ms or200 ms. The duration of a pulse during which the motor is turning willbe from 50 to 150 ms, for example.

The main page of the “μMix” application comprises in this example thefollowing elements, as can be seen notably in FIG. 31:

-   -   status bar at the top of the screen: indicates the status of the        Bluetooth connection or μMix if there is no Bluetooth        connection;    -   thumbnails at the bottom of the screen: for selecting the active        page: main page, Settings, Bluetooth, Products and Favorites;    -   Continuous button 304 for selecting the mode in which products        are dispensed continuously;    -   Purge button 305 for selecting the Purge mode;    -   Dose button 306 for selecting the mode in which dispensing is in        doses with the volume of the dose associated with the Dose        button;    -   a blue ball 300 that the user can move around inside the        volumetric triangle either by dragging it or using a double tap;    -   “−” buttons 302 for each product A, B and C: reduces the        fraction of product selected when moving along the straight line        connecting the point to the vertex of the product selected;    -   “+” buttons 302 for each product A, B and C: increases the        fraction of product selected when moving along the straight line        connecting the point to the vertex of the product selected;    -   volumetric fraction of each product as a percentage: modifiable        by the user and updated in real time according to the        instruction from the + and − buttons 302 and the position of the        ball 300.

While the volumetric fractions are being modified by moving the ball orusing the + and − buttons, the values of the volumetric fractions of theproducts A, B and C are updated automatically. When the volumetricfractions are modified using the + and − buttons, the ball 300 is movedautomatically into the corresponding position in the triangle.

When the application run on the tablet is started up, it automaticallyconnects to the dispenser 11 if it is detected. When the dispenser isswitched off or the Bluetooth connection is broken, the tabletdisconnects. When the user moves the cursors that adjust the proportionsof the products A and B, the values are transmitted in real time to thedispenser 11.

The Settings page of the application contains the following elements:

-   -   status bar at the top of the screen: indicates the status of the        Bluetooth connection or μMix if there is no Bluetooth        connection;    -   thumbnails at the bottom of the screen: for selecting the active        page:    -   main page, Settings, Bluetooth, or Info;    -   “Volumes” part with a text field to be filled in by the user to        define the volume of the dose, in ml (2 ml for example), and a        field for the purge volume, in ml (3 ml for example). The        minimum doses in this example are 0.023 ml and the maximum doses        are 9.90 ml (3×3.3 ml);    -   “Flow rate” part with selection of the flow rate: fast (>>0.03        ml/s), medium (>>0.02 ml/s) or slow (>>0.01 ml/s);    -   “Dose” part with iterative choice of the mixture, for dispensing        a mixture of products with small volumes delivered one after        another in several stages;

In the contrary case, the total volume of each product is dispensed inone hit;

-   -   “Triangle image” part for selecting the image of the triangle        that will be displayed on the main page in order to be able to        display a triangle with the moisturizing/matting levels        delivered by the dispenser 11. By using a “Choose image” button        on the “Settings” page, an album can be accessed.

The “Products” page of the application has, in the example in question,the following elements:

-   -   a choice of the value of each product in code step units from 0        to 1414.

Each unit corresponds to a delivered product volume of 2.33 μl, which isthe smallest quantity that the dispenser in this example can deliver;when this page is displayed, it is the values of products on this pagethat are transmitted in real time to the dispenser. As soon as the pageis no longer displayed, the values sent to the dispenser are those ofthe main page with the triangle;

-   -   display of the motor torques for A, B and C in real time        refreshed every 45 values.

The mode in which the products are delivered is the iterative or directdose mode, according to the option chosen on the Settings page.

The “Favorites” page allows configurations to be saved in a file. Itprovides access in the example in question to 10 files, namely“Configuration 1” to “Configuration 10” in addition to the default file.These files record for example the following parameters:

-   -   fractions of products A, B and C,    -   Purge volume,    -   Dose volume,    -   fast, medium or slow flow rate,    -   Dose, Purge or Continuous mode,    -   continuous or iterative dispensing.

Several base products are created (the proportions are by mass)

The formulations F1 and F2 are rich in fillers (and are differentcolors). The formulation F3 is rich in moisturizing agent.

F1 F2 F3 mass % mass % mass % Dimethicone copolyol sold under 2 2 2 thereference KF 6017 by the company Shin-Etsu Etsu Bis PEG/PPG-14/14 1 1 1dimethicone + Cyclopentasiloxane sold under the reference Abil EM 97 bythe company Goldschmidt Cyclopentasiloxane 17.65 17.65 17.65 Phenyltrimethicone sold under 2 2 2 the reference DC556 by the company DowCorning Ethyl hexyl methoxycinnamate 3 3 3 Squalane 1 1 1 Dispersion ofbismuth 0 0 0 oxychloride in 2-ethylhexyl hydroxystearate (70:30)(Timiron Liquid Silver ® from Merck) Cyclopentasiloxane 7 7 7 Yellowiron oxide coated with 1.65 1.25 1.45 aluminum stearoyl glutamateNAI-C33-9001-10 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Red iron oxide coatedwith 0.3 0.5 0.4 aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI-C33-8001-10 from thecompany Miyoshi Kasei Black iron oxide coated with 0.15 0.15 0.15aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI-C33-7001-10 from the company MiyoshiKasei Titanium dioxide (anatase) 9.9 10.1 10 coated with aluminumstearoyl glutamate NAI-TAO-77891 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Talcsold under the 0.5 0.5 0.25 reference Micro Ace P3 by the company NipponTalc Nylon 12 powder sold under the 0.5 0.5 0.25 reference SP 500 by thecompany Toray Industries Demineralized water 36.15 36.15 34.65 Glycerol0 0 5 1,3-Butylene glycol 3 3 3 Magnesium sulfate 0.7 0.7 0.7Hydrogenated maltose solution 0.5 0.5 0.5 Denatured 96° ethyl alcohol 1313 10 TOTAL 100 100 100

Procedure

The constituents of phase A are weighed out in the main beaker and arestirred with a Moritz blender (1000 rpm) while maintaining at roomtemperature. Phase B is prepared separately by milling three times in athree-roll mill the mixture of pigments and of cyclopentasiloxane. Thisphase B is then added, with continued stirring, along with the fillers(phase C).

The aqueous phase D is also prepared separately, by weighing out in abeaker the glycerol, the butylene glycol, the magnesium sulfate, thehydrogenated maltose solution, and water at room temperature. Theaqueous phase D is stirred using a magnetic bar until homogenized. C D EThe emulsion is made at room temperature: the aqueous phase D is pouredinto the fatty phase while gradually increasing the stirring speed(Moritz blender) up to 4000 rpm. Stirring is continued for 7 minutes.Finally, phase E (ethyl alcohol) is added for the last 3 minutes of 5the emulsification.

Test 1

The system was tested with:

-   -   F1 in compartment A    -   F2 in compartment B    -   F3 in compartment C

The system was used to create several mixtures:

M1: A 30%, B 0%, C 70%

M2: A 70%, B 0%, C 30%

M3: A 50%, B 0%, C 50%

M1, M2, M3 were applied to different areas of the face: M1 to dry areassuch as the cheeks, M2 to greasy areas such as the forehead, and M3 tointermediate areas such as the chin.

Test 2

The system was used to create several mixtures:

M1: A 80%, B 10%, C 10%

M2: A 35%, B 35%, C 30%

M3: A 20%, B 20%, C 60%

M1 and M2 are intended for greasy areas. M1, fairly yellow, is appliedto the bags. M1, more pink, is applied to the sides of the nose.

M3 is applied to very dry areas such as the area above the mouth.

I) System for Creating Tailor-Made Mixtures Based on AlcoholicFormulation

According to this ninth aspect, the invention relates more particularlyto methods and systems for dispensing products with a high concentrationof alcohol.

It relates more particularly to the production of perfumes(concentrated, eaux de parfums, eaux de toilettes, etc.), fragrancingproducts and deodorants.

These products are used for perfuming oneself to enjoy the odor or toconceal disagreeable (body) odors.

Users wish to have numerous perfumes, with different notes andstrengths. For that, professionals create and market mixtures ofdifferent ingredients, in the process creating notes which are pleasantto a large number of people. However, the evolution of society has ledto people wanting to have their own specific perfume, with notes andstrengths that are tailor-made. Users may make tailor-made mixtures, butthis does not meet the need for regular change well. Moreover, there isa desire to be able to propose an entire choice of types of fragrance.However, it is apparent that when a mixture is tailor-made, usingalcoholic compositions, there is a risk of the mixture not correspondingto the programmed odor if the different ingredients or preparations ofingredients are not properly metered. An error in the proportions cancause a notable, or even unacceptable, difference in smell.

An error is even less acceptable given that the person has had to pay afairly large amount for the preparation of his tailor-made perfume (orspend time if he has wanted to make it himself) and is thus disappointedthat the odor does not correspond to the intended odor. For example, ifhe has an old preparation, he will very quickly realize the differenceon making a comparison. As is known, this problem does not arise eachtime a mixture is created, but there is always the risk of ending upwith dissatisfied customers. Large-volume productions could limit theserisks, but they are neither economical nor sensible given that thequantities used are often limited (for example 200 mg per day), sinceusers like to change recipe upon each use or frequently.

This problem is all the greater given that the ingredients or ingredientbases used often differ from one another (in terms of odor).

It may be possible to limit oneself to mixing ingredients or ingredientbases that are similar (in terms of smell), but this greatly reduces therange of perfumes possible.

Thus, none of the existing solutions is satisfactory, to this daylimiting the development of tailor-made perfumes.

The invention seeks, according to its ninth aspect, to respond to thisproblem, and one subject thereof is a system for dispensing a perfumedproduct, comprising a dispenser that receives at least two cartridgescontaining first and second base products, respectively, the first baseproduct comprising a composition containing at least one alcohol and atleast one cellulose derivative acting as a thickener, the dispensermaking it possible to deliver at least these two base products inadjustable proportions.

The invention according to this ninth aspect may have one or more of thefollowing features:

-   -   each base product comprises a composition containing at least        one alcohol and at least one cellulose derivative,    -   the first base product or each base product has a mass        concentration of alcohol relative to the other, non-alcoholic        compound(s) of the first product of at least 80/20, better still        85/15 and even better still 90/10,    -   the first base product or each base product contains at least        50% by mass of ethanol in its solvent phase, better still at        least 80% by mass of ethanol in its solvent phase, even better        still at least 85% by mass of ethanol in its solvent phase,    -   the first base product or each base product contains at least        one odorous compound, preferably chosen from esters, carbonates,        acids, anhydrides, aldehydes, alcohols, aliphatic compounds        without functions other than alkanes and alkenes, and mixtures        thereof,    -   the odorous compound(s) is/are chosen from hexanal, octanal,        nonanal, decanal, undecanal, dodecanal, tridecanal,        2-methyldecanal, 2-methylundecanal, trans-2-hexenal,        cis-4-heptanal, 2,6-dimethyl-5-hepten-1-al, E-4-decenal,        10-undecenal, 2-dodecenal,        1,1-dimethoxy-2,2,5-trimethyl-4-hexene, 2-methyl-2-pentenoic        acid, (S)-(+)-2-methylbutanoic acid, ethyl formate,        cis-3-hexenyl formate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isoamyl        acetate, hexyl acetate, 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl acetate,        trans-2-hexenyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, ethyl        propionate, ethyl butyrate, butyl butyrate, isoamyl butyrate,        hexyl butyrate, cis-3-hexenyl isobutyrate, ethyl isovalerate,        ethyl-2-methyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl 2-methyl        pentanoate, 2-propenyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, 2-propenyl        heptanoate, ethyl octanoate, methyl 2-nonenoate, ethyl        2-trans-4-cis-decadienoate, methyl 2-octynoate, methyl        2-nonynoate, ethyl 3-octobutanoate, allyl amyl glycolate,        Z-3-hexenyl methyl carbonate, 3-octanol;        2,6-dimethyl-2-heptanol, trans-2-hexen-1 ol; 3-hexen-1-ol;        1-octen-3-ol; 9-decen-1-ol; 10-undecen-1-ol;        2-trans-6-cis-nonadien-1-ol; 4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol, myrcene,        ocimene, beta-Farnesene, citral, citral diethyl acetate,        citronellal, methoxydihydrocitronellal,        2,6,10-trimethyl-9-undecanal, cis-geranic acid, citronellic        acid, geranyl ester (formate, acetate, propionate, isobutyrate,        isovalerate), neryl acetate, linalyl esters (formate, acetate,        propionate, isobutyrate), citronellyl esters (formate, acetate,        propionate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, tiglate) and esters of        myrcenol, geraniol, nerol, linalool, myrcenol, lavendulol,        citronellol, trans,trans-farnesol, trans-nerolidol,        tetrahydrogeraniol, tetrahydrolinalool, avendulol,        trans,trans-farnesol, trans-nerolidol, tetrahydrogeraniol,        tetrahydrolinalool, limonene, terpinene, terpinolene,        phellandrene, camphene, 3-carene, menthyl ester (acetate,        lactate), alpha-terpinyl esters (acetate), noryl esters        (acetate), bornyl esters (acetate), isobornyl esters (acetate),        cedryl esters (acetate), 2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexene        carboxaldehyde, 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3 cyclohexene        carboxaldehyde, 1-(4-isopropycyclohexyl)ethanol,        2-methyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)butanol,        2-methyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)butenol,        3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol,        3,3-dimethyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol,        indole, p-cymene, diphenylmethane, benzaldehyde,        phenylacetaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal,        dihydrocinnamaldehyde, 2-phenylpropanal, cyclamen aldehyde,        2-methyl-3-(4-tert-butyl-phenyl)propanal, cinnamaldehyde,        heliotropin, furfuraldehyde, benzyl esters (acetate, propionate,        isovalerate), phenethyl esters (acetate, isobutyrate,        isovalerate), alpha-trichloromethylbenzyl ester (acetate),        cinnamyl acetate, benzoate ester (acetate, hexyl, benzyl),        phenylacetate ethyl, phenylacetate geranyl, methyl cinnamate,        benzyl cinnamate, phenyl ethyl cinnamate, eugenol acetate,        phenylacetic acid, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol,        styrallyl alcohol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol,        cinnamyl alcohol, 3-methyl-5-phenylpentanol, thymol, anethole,        isoeugenol, eugenol, anise alcohol, raspberry ketone,        ethylmaltol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2-propylphenol,        2-(methylthio)phenol, ortho-guaiacol, 4-methyl guaiacol, abietic        anhydride, citraconic anhydride,    -   the cellulose derivative is chosen from derivatives of cellulose        obtained by reacting basified cellulose with propylene oxide or        ethylene oxide,    -   the cellulose derivative is hydroxypropylcellulose,    -   the molecular weight size of the cellulose derivative is greater        than or equal to 10 000, better still between around 850 000 and        around 1 150 000,    -   the total mass content of cellulose compound(s) varies between        0.1% and 20%, better still between 0.5% and 5%, even better        still between 0.7% and 2%, the percentage being expressed        relative to the mass of the base product,    -   the system comprises a third cartridge with a third base        product,    -   the cartridges are received in a removable manner in the        dispenser,    -   each product leaves the cartridge through an outlet passage of        the cartridge, the outlet passage being defined by a dispensing        end piece of the cartridge, said end piece being driven in        rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drive        mechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base product        contained in the cartridge,    -   the dispensing system has an electronic memory for recording, in        association with a dispensed product, the respective proportions        of each of the base products of this product, in order to be        able to automatically dispense this product again later.

A further subject of the invention, according to its ninth aspect, is amethod for generating a perfumed product with aid of a system as claimedin any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more base productscontained in respective cartridges of the dispenser is/are selected, andthe base products selected are dispensed in chosen quantities.

It is also possible to memorize the proportions of the different baseproducts making up the dispensed product.

-   -   1) Thus, according to its ninth aspect, the invention is        preferably based on a dispensing system comprising a        programmable dispenser with several compartments.    -   2) Which is able to deliver very small quantities from each        compartment with precision.    -   3) At least one composition contains alcohol (in particular        ethanol), with or without odorous compounds, and an agent of the        cellulose derivative type of the “hydroxypropylcellulose” type.    -   4) There may optionally be other compartments containing        compositions which are not alcoholic.

By virtue of the invention according to this ninth aspect, the personmay:

-   -   a) Design and record perfumes    -   b) Produce a small quantity for use, without any risk of        differing from the intended odor    -   c) specifically using the full panorama of olfactory        ingredients.

Even if the reservoirs are used up, or have even gone off, the personcould refill the compartments with new cartridges and then create asmall quantity for use.

The person could also share their perfume with others, even remotely.

This system could furthermore be used to create larger quantities, itbeing understood that these quantities should be considered, oncecreated, to have a limited life (usually between 1 month and 48 months).

Dispensing System

The dispensing system may consist of a single device operatingautonomously, preferably able to be manipulated in one hand, or of adevice that operates in interaction with other components or devices. Itmay for example entail various outlet interfaces which are mounted onthe dispenser depending on the type of note to be created, as will bespecified below. It may also entail a computer system which exchangesinformation with the dispenser in order to operate the latter, thiscomputer system comprising, for example, a portable terminal such as asmartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a dedicatedterminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s.

Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20 and100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thus possibleto easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensing system isthus ideal for creating small fragrant touches.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed for fragrancing for one or more days. These quantitiesremain relatively low, however, at less than 1000 mg, for example aquantity of between 10 and 500 mg, better still between 40 and 250 mg.

Thus, one subject of the invention, according to one aspect thereof, isa dispensing system comprising a dispenser having a housing, and atleast one cartridge received in the housing of the dispenser, thiscartridge having a body and a piston capable of moving in the body, thehousing comprising a motorized drive mechanism for moving the piston ofthe cartridge.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the note, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the note to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severaldifferent odorous base products.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is dispensed whilethe other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped. Such a dispensing system is especiallysuited to formulations that are intended to be applied without directcontact with the hands. This container may be removable.

When it is not removable, the container may be produced with the body ofthe dispenser. When it is removable, it may constitute one outputinterface among others that can be mounted on the dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible for odorgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture A to a mixture B severaltimes in succession. In the case of application by spraying, amultilayer application can thus be achieved, with different formulationsfor two superposed adjacent coats. Another mode makes it possible forexample to offer several preprogrammed successive mixtures, the computersystem each time indicating to the user how these should be used, forexample by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the mixture to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the personhas perfumed themselves fully.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

Solvents of the Compositions

The alcoholic composition(s) contain(s) primary or non-primary alcohols,at a concentration relative to water or other non-alcoholic solvents ofat least 80/20, preferably at least 85/15, even more preferably at least90/10. The alcohols preferably contain at least 50% by mass of ethanolrelative to the mass of the other alcohols, preferably at least 80% bymass of ethanol relative to the mass of the other alcohols, even betterstill at least 85% by mass of ethanol relative to the mass of the otheralcohols. The other alcohols are typically glycols and/or alcohols oftype C3 or more, in particular isopropanol.

The other non-alcohol solvents are typically acetone or ethers, such asglycol ethers.

Preferably, the composition contains, in its solvent phase: At least 80%by mass of ethanol, and between 0 and 10% by meass of water and between0% and 20% by mass of another non-acoholic organic solvent.

The alcoholic composition(s) contain(s) or do(es) not contain othercompounds considered to be “nonsolvents”.

-   -   Odorous compounds    -   Care compounds such as screening agents, biological agents    -   Dyes    -   Polymers

Odorous Compounds

An “odorous compound” is understood to include odorous molecules andthose which have a (stimulating, modifying) effect on the odorousmolecules. They are also understood to include steroids, which can thenact on the final odor of the mixture.

Consideration is given to two types of odorous compounds.

-   -   Esters    -   Carbonates    -   Acids    -   Anhydrides    -   Aldhydes    -   Alcohols    -   Aliphatic compounds without functions other than alkanes and        alkenes

More specifically, the compounds are aliphatic:

-   -   Alkanes and alkenes    -   (E,Z)-1,3,5-undecatriene    -   Aldhydes

Hexanal, octanal, nonanal, decanal, undecanal, dodecanal, tridecanal,2-methyldecanal, 2-methylundecanal, trans-2-hexenal, cis-4-heptanal,2,6-dimethyl-5-hepten-1-al, E-4-decenal, 10-undecenal, 2-dodecenal,1,1-dimethoxy-2,2,5-trimethyl-4-hexene

-   -   Acids    -   2-Methyl-2-pentenoic acid, (S)-(+)-2-methylbutanoic acid    -   Esters

Ethyl formate, cis-3-hexenyl formate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate,isoamyl acetate, hexyl acetate, 3,5,5-trimethyl hexyl acetate,trans-2-hexenyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, ethyl propionate, ethylbutyrate, butyl butyrate, isoamyl butyrate, hexyl butyrate,cis-3-hexenyl isobutyrate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl 2-methyl butyrate,ethyl hexanoate, ethyl 2-methyl pentanoate, 2-propenyl hexanoate, ethylheptanoate, 2-propenyl heptanoate, ethyl octanoate, methyl 2-nonenoate,ethyl 2-trans-4-cis-decadienoate, methyl 2-octynoate, methyl2-nonynoate, ethyl 3-octobutanoate, allyl amyl glycolate

-   -   Carbonates    -   Z-3-hexenyl methyl carbonate    -   Alcohols

3-Octanol; 2,6-dimethyl-2-heptanol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol; 3-hexen-1-ol;1-octen-3-ol; 9-decen-1-ol; 10-undecen-1-ol;2-trans-6-cis-nonadien-1-ol; 4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol

The compounds are noncyclic derivatives of terpene

-   -   Alkanes and alkenes    -   Myrcene, ocimene, beta-Farnesene    -   Aldehydes and acetal derivatives Citral, citral diethyl acetate,        citronellal, methoxydihydrocitronellal,        2,6,10-trimethyl-9-undecanal    -   Acids    -   cis-Geranic acid, citronellic acid    -   Esters

Geranyl ester (formate, acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, isovalerate),neryl acetate, linalyl esters (formate, acetate, propionate,isobutyrate), citronellyl esters (formate, acetate, propionate,isobutyrate, isovalerate, tiglate) and esters of myrcenol, lavendulol,trans,trans-farnesol, trans-nerolidol, tetrahydrogeraniol,tetrahydrolinalool

-   -   Alcohols

Geraniol, nerol, linalool, myrcenol, lavendulol, citronellol,trans,trans-farnesol, trans-nerolidol, tetrahydrogeraniol,tetrahydrolinalool

The compounds are cyclic derivatives of terpene

-   -   Alkanes and alkenes

Limonene, terpinene, terpinolene, phellandrene, camphene, 3-carene

-   -   Esters

Menthyl ester (acetate, lactate), alpha-terpinyl esters (acetate), norylesters (acetate), bornyl esters (acetate), isobornyl esters (acetate),cedryl esters (acetate)

-   -   Alcohols

Menthol and various diastereoisomers (neomenthol, isomenthol,neoisomenthol), pulegol, and various diastereoisomers, piperitone,terpineols and various isomers, borneol,

The compounds are cyclic derivatives not of terpene

-   -   Alkanes and alkenes    -   Aldehydes and acetal derivatives    -   2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde,        4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3 cyclohexene carboxaldehyde    -   Esters

OTBCHA, PTBCHA, allyl 4-cyclohexyl propionate, allyl cyclohexyloxyacetate, methyl jasmonate, methyl dihydrojasmonate,

-   -   Alcohols    -   1-(4-isopropycyclohexyl)ethanol,        2-methyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)butanol,        2-methyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)butenol,        3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol,        3,3-dimethyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol

The compounds are aromatic (benzene or heterocyclic) derivatives

-   -   Aromatic (benzene or heterocyclic) rings without additional        functions Indole, p-cymene, diphenylmethane    -   Aldehydes and acetal derivatives

Benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal,dihydrocinnamaldehyde, 2-phenylpropanal, cyclamen aldehyde,2-methyl-3-(4-tert-butyl-phenyl)propanal, cinnamaldehyde, heliotropin,furfuraldehyde

-   -   Esters

Benzyl esters (acetate, propionate, isovalerate), phenethyl esters(acetate, isobutyrate, isovalerate), alpha-trichloromethylbenzyl ester(acetate), cinnamyl acetate, benzoate ester (acetate, hexyl, benzyl),phenylacetate ethyl, phenylacetate geranyl, methyl cinnamate, benzylcinnamate, phenyl ethyl cinnamate, eugenol acetate

-   -   Acids

Phenylacetic acid

-   -   Alcohols

Benzyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol, styrallyl alcohol,2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol, cinnamyl alcohol,3-methyl-5-phenylpentanol, thymol, anethole, isoeugenol, eugenol, anisealcohol, raspberry ketone, ethylmaltol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol,2-propylphenol, 2-(methylthio)phenol, ortho-guaiacol, 4-methyl guaiacol

Others

-   -   Abietic anhydride    -   Citraconic anhydride

Cellulose Derivative

They are obtained by reacting basified cellulose with propylene oxide orethylene oxide. The degree of substitution of the alkylene oxides withrespect to hydroxyls of the cellulose is typically greater than 2,better still greater than 4.

The molecular weight sizes vary from 10 000 to several million,preferably from 70 000 to 1 500 000 determined by exclusionchromatography.

For example, the cellulose derivative is a Klucel® (Ashland) sold underthe name:

-   -   H        1 150 000    -   M        850 000    -   G        370 000    -   J        140 000    -   L        95 000    -   E        80 000

All grades of purity are usable:

-   -   Industrial    -   F    -   CS    -   F pharm

Preferably, sizes with higher values such as M and H are employed.

The total mass content of cellulose compound(s) may vary between 0.1%and 20%, better still between 0.5% and 5%, even better still between0.7% and 2%, the percentage being expressed relative to the mass of thebase product.

Use for Treating One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows perfume to be applied, day after day, withonly the precise areas being treated. To this end, small doses ofproduct are delivered, and are applied specifically and sequentially tothe corresponding areas. Each small dose is created using the mixturesuited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below. As an alternative, the dispensingsystem informs the person, when delivering a mixture, of the area towhich the person is to apply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing systemmay follow an application program in which it delivers, in a givenorder, the various mixtures that are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the odor, the area of the face and the quantityneeded, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and wastage ofproduct, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoiding occlusioneffects. The dispensing system may also allow mixtures to be createdprecisely, facilitating the dispensing of small quantities and the rapiduse thereof.

When the user is looking for the product to apply to an area of theface, it is advantageous to memorize the mixture (ratio between theproducts in the compartments) best suited to each area, and thedispensing system is thus advantageously designed to memorize theeffect, the ratios and the corresponding area. Thus, by using thememorized information, on each use, the same mixture can be deliveredfor each area or, if several areas are being treated, the same series ofmixtures can be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the effects application after application. Thus, theperson may perfume her skin with different notes that she chooses on aday-by-day basis to suit her tastes. For example, on weekdays, theperson applies a given perfume, and at the weekend a different one.

The system is also designed to deliver touches depending on the resultof the application of different touches. Thus, if it is apparent to theuser that, following the application of several touches, there issomething missing for perfecting the result, the system can deliver, ondemand, a mixture for realizing a touch which will complete the result.

For example, in the case of perfumes, if the person applies a touch ofperfume at one location and then another touch of different perfume toanother area, the person may desire completing the olfactory impressionby applying to the same areas or to a different area another touch ofyet another, different perfume.

The system is thus provided to propose variations and an interface fortranslating simple orders into the production of a mixture.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change theingredients to suit her tastes according to the day, the time, what sheis wearing, and the weather. Thus, a system to assist with decisionmaking is advantageously provided to guide the user in her choices ofperfume notes.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Graduated Treatment

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product.

In addition, the outlet for the base products or for the mixture ismoved relative to a container or a support defining an applicationsurface. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensingsystem is designed to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves asa function of the odor C1 of one area to be treated and of the odor C2of another area to be treated. For example, with the knowledge that theneck requires an odor C1 and that the hair requires an odor C2, thedispensing system may vary the formulation of the mixture while it isdelivering it in order to graduate the odor between these two odors.This makes it possible for example to better conceal imperfections ofthe face while ensuring that the end result is realistic, or allows theodor to be graduated to increase attractivity. The dispensing system mayalso be designed such that the user can command a variation in odor ofthe mixture dispensed without the start and/or end odors having been setbeforehand. To do that, the dispensing system may possess a location orauto-location system and deduce from a look-up table the odors C1 and C2that it has to create and therefore the changes in the mixture that ithas to make.

For example, he may create a perfume graduation along the neck in orderto share a richness of odor with an approaching person.

The same concept is applicable to protective compositions. The personcould create graduations of protective indices, thereby creating, afterbeing exposed to the sun, a tanning result that is itself graduated.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to have the neck perfumed with oneodor and the ear with another, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to theweight to the total mass of the composition, better still more than 20%by mass of solid particles relative to the total mass of thecomposition, even better still more than 30% by mass of solid particlesrelative to the total mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and40% by mass of solid particles relative to the total mass of thecomposition.

Preferably, one or more of the compositions introduced into the systemcontain oil, preferably in a content greater than or equal to 20%.

These compositions may contain absorbent particles or reactivecompounds, such as those that react in contact with the air, for examplecyanoacrylate or alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notablyUV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

The system preferably contains large quantities of cellulosederivatives, such as greater than 5% and preferably greater than 10%.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

Creation of Odor Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures of odorsdeposited in said regions, suited to various parts of the face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a system for dispensing at least one fragrancing product,having a cup and a dispenser for filling the cup with at least oneproduct, the cup being secured to the dispenser at least while it isbeing filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the fragrancing to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick up.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of odors and/or allowthe preparation of several different odor mixtures intended forfragrancing respective areas of the face. The cups may be associatedwith identifiers that remind the user of the area of the face for whicha mixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Preferably, the size and shape of the cupeither allow direct application of the mixture to the skin or allow themixture to be picked up on a finger or an applicator. The cup may bemade of an elastically deformable material, making it possible forexample to turn the concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out andempty it more easily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing afragrancing product, comprising the step of filling a cup of adispensing system as defined above with at least one base product fromthe dispenser.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

The dispensing system may have a dispenser having outlet passages forbase products and an outlet interface that is separable from thedispenser, this interface having a static blender that preferablydelivers the mixture into a cavity where it can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

According to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to use severaloutlet interfaces and to fill them with different respective mixtures,without the need to purge the blender, thereby reducing losses ofproduct. The outlet interface may be a single-use interface, ifnecessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the odor of themixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

A system for dispensing a fragrancing product according to this ninthaspect of the invention has a dispenser receiving at least twocartridges that each have a reservoir containing a base product, thelatter being able to leave the cartridge through an outlet passage ofthe cartridge, this outlet passage opening out at the outside of thedispenser or near the external surface thereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the outside of the housingof the dispenser in the absence of an outlet interface. The mountingarea may be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent fragrancing effects easily and be able, if so desired, tofragrance areas as different as the skin, the lips, the neck, theeyebrows or the hair.

The dispensing system may comprise an assembly having a dispenser of atleast one fragrancing product, and at least two outlet interfaces, eachof which can be mounted removably on the dispenser, these outletinterfaces being able to receive the product(s) delivered by thedispenser, preferably being chosen from the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a fragrancing method involving thestep of selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing an odor with an area, with recording.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of substance may be applied with a finger, usingconventional tools such as brushes, or using specialist applicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday fragrancing.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriate odor.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same odor is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies an odor, then makes anassessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the neck, then on the ear, thenthe hair, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the odor is suited. The mixture is then indexed in thecomputer system which attributes it to the area(s) of the face for whichit is suitable.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a learning process for a dispensing system comprising adispenser for dispensing a mixture of variable odor, and a computersystem for selecting a fragrancing effect and for storing data,comprising the steps of:

a) selecting at least one odor with the aid of an interface of thecomputer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture inorder to approach the selected odor,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face, (odor)

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for fragrancing said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toperfume themselves. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at salesoutlets to advise people wishing to perfume themselves or at home inorder to define correctly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying a reminder of the odor of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for a referenceof a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics of themixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area, and torelay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture odor at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two different mixtures,preferably separate, so that they can be applied simultaneously to thetest area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of fragrancing using adispensing system according to this aspect of the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposal for treating anassociated zone, on the basis of the learning performed beforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the proposedmixture, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one odor and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture        selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the mixture and of        an associated application area, notably with a view to        subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably on the same        area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for        fragrancing, notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one odor and/or one        application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the proposed mixture, notably if        this is validated by the user.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in perfuming themselves,notably in choosing the correct olfactory notes.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is thus a fragrancing method involving the steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the odor of a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image or comments to the        second site, so as to receive in return information relating to        the application result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to hear or read the comments about thefragrancing result with the product dispensed by the dispenser andadvise the person who has perfumed themselves. This adviser may inreturn influence the dispenser to alter the odor of the mixture andadapt it to best suit the face of the person present at the first site.Thus, this person controls the mixture delivered by the dispenser. Thefirst person may perfume herself under the gaze of the second. Thesecond person sees the result of the test on their screen and can thuscorrect the mixture that this second person will control remotely untilthe ideal fragrance is obtained.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the perception of theodors of each of the base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help severalperfume themselves. This embodiment makes it possible to develop“fragrancing coaches” and their work, either within an institute or overthe Internet. It also allows people with limited capabilities, such aspeople lacking in self-confidence to perfume themselves.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the effects of the mixture dispensed.

The dispensing system may have a dispenser and a computer system foroperating the dispenser, this computer system having a touch screen onwhich the odor of the mixture or the expected effect can be displayed,and a selection means movable on the screen, in order to vary the odorof the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the screen displays end-point effects between which theeffect of the mixture can be selected by moving the selection meansbetween these end points.

The screen may display a scale of effects in the form of a line or area(triangular contour).

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired effect.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

The dispensing system may comprise a spray system, preferably anairbrush, and according to one of its aspects, independently of or incombination with the other aspects, and notably the foregoing, onesubject of the invention is an assembly comprising:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing fragrancing products.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate theodor depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for fragrancing using anassembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto the skinusing the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated odor can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the odor of the mixture dispensed while theface is being treated.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.02 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s, preferablyfrom 0.2 Pa·s to 5 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and a composition according to the invention (based onan organic solvent), simultaneously, and these will be depositeddirectly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kind ofgel/gel in situ, reactive silicones. The ratios of base products can beadjusted depending on the particular result desired. For example, in thecase of aqueous gels and oily gels, the ratio corresponding to thevolume of the first base product to the volume of the second baseproduct could be varied between 10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

Examples of dispensing systems suitable for the invention according toits ninth aspect are shown in the figures, which will not all bedescribed in detail again.

The housing of the dispenser 11, in the configuration thereofillustrated in FIG. 13, i.e. without the outlet interface 110, has theadvantage that it can be coupled to various forms of other outletinterfaces, depending on the fragrancing that is to be performed and/oron the area to be treated.

FIG. 29C illustrates a support having spaces disposed thereonsubstantially in the manner of the different areas of a face; each spacemay contain a mixture, the odor of which is suited to the correspondingpart of the face. Thus it is easy for the user to know where to applythe mixture picked up from a given space.

The dispenser 11 can be used to deliver a mixture, the formulation ofwhich changes over time, and to collect the mixture in a container thatis movable with respect to the dispenser, such that the mixture isdeposited in a location of the container that varies over time, in orderto achieve a graduated effect.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the dispensing systemhas an outlet interface 110 having a part that is fixed relative to thedispenser and a moving part 252 that has a space 253 for receiving themixture.

For example, the dispenser 11 is arranged in this case with the outletorifices of the cartridges downward and is equipped with a blender suchthat the mixture falls into the space 253 under its own weight. A motormay move the moving part of the outlet interface relative to thedispenser, in a manner that is synchronized with the variation incharacteristics of the mixture, such that a graduated effect is obtainedall along the space 253, as illustrated in FIG. 29B.

FIGS. 31 to 37 show various examples of touch-sensitive interfaces thatmay allow the user to select the odor of the mixture resulting from themetered dispensing of the various base products.

This interface may have, as illustrated in FIG. 31, an odor selectionarea, for example in the form of a triangle, the vertices of whichcorrespond to the odors of each of the base products contained in thecartridges.

The user can move a cursor 300, for example in the form of a ball,relative to the vertices A, B and C of the triangle.

The closer he brings the cursor 300 to one of the vertices, the largerthe fraction of the corresponding base product relative to the totalquantity of the various products dispensed.

The fraction of each product relative to the total quantity may beindicated at 301 by a numerical value on the interface.

The interface may allow the user to increment or decrease the quantityof each of the products, for example by operating control buttons 302,which allow precise adjustment of the quantity of each of the baseproducts.

The surface of the triangle 310 may have an odor that varies locally soas to be indicative at each point of the odor of the mixture thatresults from the weighting of the various base products in theproportions corresponding to the relative coordinates at this point.

The interface may have a button 305 providing access to a specific menufor adjusting the volume of product dispensed for purging the dispenser.

The interface may also advantageously allow the flow rate of product tobe adjusted using buttons 304 and 306 returning to a specific menu foradjusting the flow rate.

In the example in question, the interface affords the choice between acontinuous dispensing mode, using the button 304, in which the productsare dispensed for as long as the user is pressing the control button 12.

The corresponding dose can be transmitted to the interface anddisplayed.

The button 306 allows selection of a dose mode of operation, duringwhich even a brief press of the button 12 triggers the dispensing of apredefined dose.

In order to vary the flow rate, the dispenser acts, for example, on theoperating duty cycle of the motors.

The interface may be designed to allow the user to program or memorizethe settings he or she prefers, using a menu 307 providing access tofavorites.

The touch-sensitive interface illustrated in FIG. 32 shows on the screenthree colored areas 400, each one corresponding to the odor of one ofthe base products contained in the dispenser 10, and a central area 410which shows the odor of the resulting mixture.

The relative quantity of each of the base products can be adjusted usingcursors 415 which move for example along lines joining each of the areas400 to the central area 410.

During use of the interface, the latter may memorize a given setting andcause a button 420 of the odor of the mixture to appear on the screen.The user can then, simply by pressing this button 420, dispense amixture of the corresponding odor.

In the example in FIG. 34, the interface displays, in an area 500, agiven odor and offers the user, by virtue of control buttons 510 thatare each for the odor of the corresponding base product, the opportunityto increase or decrease the proportion of this base product in the finalmixture. The odor of the area 500 is recalculated depending on theactions on the control buttons 510.

In the variant in FIG. 35, the interface shows a color chart havingseveral areas 530, each one corresponding to a particular proportion ofthe various base products.

The user may select one of these areas, for example by pressing it withhis or her finger.

The interface may be designed to display the selected odor to a largerscale in an area 535. The programming of the dispenser 11 to dispensethis odor is triggered for example by pressing the area.

In the example in FIG. 36, the user may move a cursor 555 over acontinuous odor chart 550, causing the selected odor to be displayed inan area 558.

The user can then, for example by pressing the area 556, trigger thesending to the dispenser 11 of the necessary instructions for thedispenser to dispense a product in the selected odor.

It is apparent from FIG. 37 that the interface can memorize the variousshades selected and then display them on the screen so as to allow theuser, by pressing corresponding buttons 560, very easily to again selecta shade that has already been chosen.

FIG. 38 shows an example of a user interface 1000 of a dispensing systemcomprising a dispenser, preferably as described above, and a computersystem 100 to which the interface belongs.

The computer system comprises here, for example, a device such as alaptop computer, a tablet or a smartphone, that operates autonomously oris connected to a remote server.

In the example in question, the interface 1000 is defined by the touchscreen of such a device. In a variant that has not been illustrated, thedispenser incorporates a touch screen or any other type of man-machineinterface, and can be used without connection to another device.

The device runs an application, for example which has been downloadedbeforehand and which displays on the screen a face 1035 and a series ofbuttons allowing the user to input information.

The face may comprise several areas Z1 to Z6 that can be selected bytouch, for example the forehead, the nose, the cheeks, the eyelids, thechin, and the lips.

The buttons present on the screen may make it possible for example toinput the name of the fragrance or of the user, to display the selectedarea, to choose the odor, and to inform the computer system as towhether or not the result of the test carried out is acceptable, oreven, as illustrated, to provide information regarding the assessment ofthe result relative to a test carried out previously, namely, forexample, better or “not as good”. The screen may also display a buttonallowing the choice of an odor and an area to be memorized after a testhas been carried out with this odor on the area in question.

The choice of odor is made for example with a scale similar to the onedescribed with reference to FIG. 36.

The computer system is designed to memorize the data in the form of alook-up table for example, so as to associate an area of the face withthe parameters that allow the mixture dispensed during the test to bereproduced. These parameters include, for example, the relative contentsof each of the base products of the dispenser in the mixture, thequantity Q dispensed, and additional data such as, for example, the nameof the area, the date the mixture was dispensed and/or any other mixtureidentifier, identifiers of the base products, the period of the year,notably the season, the age of the user, his or her sex, his or hergiven or family name, the name of an event associated with thefragrancing, for example a birthday, amongst other data, and thequantity of product suitable for the area. The ancillary data may allowthe user to reproduce more easily a fragrance considered suitable for atime of year or recalling a life event, or to give a rejuvenatingeffect.

These data may be memorized in the computer system 100, for example inthe abovementioned device and/or on a remote server with which thedevice is in communication, or alternatively in an electronic memoryincorporated into the dispenser 11.

Thus, according to the invention, the user may make the dispenserdeliver a first fragrancing substance, and apply it to a first area ofthe face, then judge whether or not it is suitable. If the result issatisfactory, the user may record it, indexing it to the area; if theresult is unsatisfactory, the user may command a new odor in order torepeat the above operations.

The computer system can be used in this context in various ways.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 40, in a step 1010, the user hasselected an odor to test, using for example the scale 1011 displayed onthe screen, by moving the adjusting button 1012.

Next, the choice of odor is transmitted to the dispenser 11, in step1015.

For example, the device transmits the quantities of each of the baseproducts to be dispensed and the electronic circuit 81 takes charge ofoperating the motors accordingly.

In step 1016, the user presses the control button 12 of the dispenser11, this causing, for example, a dose of the mixture, in the odorselected by the user, to be dispensed.

The mixture is, for example, dispensed into the cup 115 then picked upand applied by the user to the cheeks or any other area instructed onthe interface, in step 1020.

In variants, the product is applied using an airbrush or by any othermeans as described above.

The user then, in step 1022, informs the computer system of the resultusing the buttons 1021.

If the user indicates that the result is satisfactory, the systemsuggests for example that he/she validate the parameters of the testusing a button so as to memorize these parameters in step 1031

If the user does not consider the result to be satisfactory and makesthis known using the button 1032, the result can nevertheless beautomatically saved in step 1034.

Thus, each area can be indexed not only with the suitable odor(s), butalso with the odor(s) that is/are not at all suited to this area.

The user can then perform a further test on the same area by returningto step 1010.

If the user is satisfied with the result, he or she may also wish tocarry out a further test, for example on a different area of the face.

If appropriate, if the user is not satisfied, the interface may suggestthat the user indicate whether the result is considered better than ornot as good as the previous test, using corresponding buttons 1040 and1041.

In that case, the computer system may be designed to determine whether,in light of the information input by the user, a proposal can beautomatically made as to what odor to test next.

If appropriate, a questionnaire may be displayed to assist the computersystem in proposing an odor in light of the tests carried out and theway in which the user or a professional assisting the user has assessedthese tests.

For example, if the odor is considered “unsuitable”, the system mayreceive from the user additional information, for example “too fruity”,which will assist the system in proposing a new odor better suited tothe user's expectations.

It may be advantageous for the computer system to be able to receiveinformation comparing the result against the previous tests, for example“it's better” or “it's not as good” and, from there, for the system tobe capable of deducing what new odor to propose.

Another option is for the computer system to be able to receivecomparison information regarding a comparison against a target, forexample “it's almost ideal” and, from there, for the system to becapable of automatically adjusting its odor modifications.

In this particular instance, if it receives the information that thedesired result has almost been achieved, the system can adopt smalllevels of odor change and revise the scale of adjustment accordingly.

If the dispensing system itself proposes the odorous mixtures to betested, these may be based on preprogrammed test scenarios and thesystem may alter how the scenario is followed through according to thesuccesses or failures of the assessment. Thus, for example if, from thethird application of product, it receives information that the odor isalmost ideal for the user, the dispensing system may exit the programand thereafter allow itself to be guided by instructions from theoperator.

In general, the user may be assisted by an expert system in the choiceof odors to test.

This expert system is, for example, a program run on the device withwhich the dispenser communicates or on the dispenser itself, and whichis based on the answers to a questionnaire and/or on measurements, forexample of the odor of the skin or body, taken by a specific sensor orby a camera. The user can thus get assistance from an instrumentedevaluation, for example an odor sensor. The expert system can even beimplemented on a remote server with which the device or the dispenserexchanges information. The operator may even send an image of his or herface to a specialist, who can preprogram the starting odor choice. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the user presents the computer system witha photo of his or her face, and the computer system is designed toanalyze this and create a program defining the areas to be tested andthe first products to be delivered, both in terms of odor and in termsof quantity. For example, the computer system may be designed toautomatically select the odors to propose to the user by capturing aphotograph in step 1070, as illustrated in FIG. 42. For example, thedevice which communicates with the dispenser 11 is equipped with acamera, and the user takes a photograph of his or her face. The image isthen analyzed in step 1071, and odors are proposed for each area of theface in step 1072, for example in accordance with predefined odorcombination rules.

The dispensing system may be oriented by the user to decide on the odorand also on the quantity of product to be delivered. For example, theuser may indicate “neck” or “hair” and the dispensing system is designedto adapt the dose dispensed according to a memorized map of doses to bedispensed depending on the areas to be treated.

The computer system may guide the user in the choice of odors in themixture to be tested, so as to limit the number of tests needed untilthe user obtains a result that pleases him or her.

It is thus possible, as illustrated in FIG. 41, that after a mixturedispensed by the dispenser has been applied to a given area of the facein step 1060, the computer system will ask the user whether or not theresult is satisfactory and will, of its own accord, if the result isconsidered to be unsatisfactory, make a change 1061 to the dispenserparameters in order to modify the mixture dispensed.

The user then only has to perform a new test with the modified mixture.

When a mixture is notified as being satisfactory, the computer systemcan memorize the corresponding parameters so as to allow the mixture tobe recreated at a later date.

The system can then begin the above steps afresh for a new applicationarea.

During the successive tests, the operator does not need to treat theentire face. He or she may for example choose between 3 and 8, forexample 5, small areas. The dispensing system is then advantageouslydesigned to interpolate and/or extrapolate the data regarding the odorsconsidered to be suitable, so as to calculate the odors that ought to beconsidered suitable for areas for which the exercise has not beenconducted.

At the end of the learning stage, the system may generate a display ofthe suitable odors on the various areas, tested or calculated.

The dispensing system may be designed to indicate whether certain odorsappear to be incorrect, doing so on the strength of a comparison againststandard maps it has in memory. Thus, it may propose that the userrepeat all or some of the mapping exercise.

Once the computer system has completed its learning, i.e. once the odorsof mixtures have been identified as being agreeable to the user forfragrancing certain areas, the user wishing to perfume themselves onlyhas to call up the area that is to be treated, in step 1080 of FIG. 43,and the system will be able to automatically propose a suitable mixtureodor to the user in step 1081.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 44, the user selects an odor in step1090 and the computer system proposes, in step 1091, an area in which toapply a mixture of this odor, on the basis of information previouslycollected on the basis of the tests performed.

The area proposed is, for example, the area in which an identical orvery similar odor has already been applied and the result consideredacceptable by the user.

FIG. 46 illustrates an example of an implementation of the invention inwhich, having carried out tests on various zones in step 2010, the userinforms the system of the mixture(s) he or she considers to afford thebest result, this allowing the system to know the correspondingparameters in step 2012. Next, in step 2014, the system may propose tothe user references of commercial products that have the same propertiesor very similar properties.

In one variant, the system sends the parameters to a remotemanufacturing center so that a composition that has the same formulationor the same properties as that of the mixture that the user has testedand found to be satisfactory can be produced.

FIG. 45 illustrates the possibility of using the dispenser to dispenseseveral doses 2020 a to 2020 d of different mixtures, next to oneanother on a support 2021, so as to allow these to be applied toadjacent distinct regions of the same area.

The user can, in a single hit, apply a series of odors in order rapidlyto home in on the appropriate odor. The substances present on thesupport 2021 may have been chosen by the operator him- or herself orproposed by the dispensing system.

The support 2021 is, for example, able to move with respect to thehousing of the dispenser and is moved sequentially to deposit thecorresponding mixtures in the various zones 2020 a to 2020 d, being forexample similar to the supports described with reference to FIG. 29 or29A. The user can thus easily compare the results between the variousregions and inform the system of which mixture produces the best effect.

FIG. 47 illustrates a system that assists the user in perfumingthemselves, notably in choosing the correct odors.

This system makes it possible to establish a video link, for exampleover the Internet, between a camera 2060 at a first site 2061 and asecond site 2062.

The camera 2060 is, for example, built into a tablet or a smartphonethat constitutes the computer system 100.

The second site 2062 is allowed to operate the dispenser 11 present atthe first site 2061 either directly or indirectly.

Thus, the person present at the first site can apply the mixturedispensed and send to the second site 2062 a corresponding image, and inreturn receive information relating to the result of the fragrancing.

The second site 2062 may have a display screen 2064 that allows anadviser sitting at this screen to understand, via the comments, theresult with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser and advise the personfragrancing themselves. This adviser may in return influence thedispenser 11 to alter the odor of the mixture and adapt it to best suitthe face of the person present at the first site. The protocol for theexchange of data between the two sites thus allows command instructionsto be sent to the dispenser 11, either directly or via the computersystem 100 present at the first site. Thus, the person present at thesecond site controls the mixture delivered by the dispenser 11. Thefirst person may perfume herself under the gaze of the second. Thesecond person sees the result of the test on their screen and can thuscorrect the mixture that this second person will control remotely untilthe ideal fragrance is obtained.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link, suchthat the user present at the first site can see an image of the adviseron the screen of the computer system. This adviser can send the userpresent at the first site a tutorial if need be.

The memorizing of the setting parameters of the dispenser 11, once agiven mixture has been considered satisfactory, may be commanded fromthe second site.

The interface may be used to define fragrancing programs in which theorder of the areas to treat or the order of the odors to propose isdefined.

EXAMPLES

A dispenser 11 like that illustrated in FIG. 3 is created.

The user determines the desired odor with the application which is runon the tablet and which calculates the fractions of the variousproducts. The tablet communicates this value to the dispenser by aBluetooth connection.

The electronics built into the dispenser 11 collects the information andautomatically adjusts the flow rates of the three cartridges so as toobtain a mixture of the desired odor.

When the user wishes to use the product, he or she presses the button 12of the dispenser in order to cause the product to be expelled. He or shepresses for as long as he or she wants product, in “continuous” mode. In“dose” mode, the user presses the button 12 once and the predefined doseis delivered.

Dispensing may be performed continuously, namely with the motorsoperating continuously, the entire volume being dispensed in one hit, oriteratively, the motors then operating in a pulsed fashion; in thatcase, the time interval between two pulses makes it possible to vary theflow rate. Small volumes are delivered one after another in severalstages.

The pulses may be separated for example by intervals of 50 ms, 100 ms or200 ms. The duration of a pulse during which the motor is turning willbe from 50 to 150 ms, for example.

The main page of the “μMix” application comprises in this example thefollowing elements, as can be seen notably in FIG. 31:

-   -   status bar at the top of the screen: indicates the status of the        Bluetooth connection or μMix if there is no Bluetooth        connection;    -   thumbnails at the bottom of the screen: for selecting the active        page: main page, Settings, Bluetooth, Products and Favorites;    -   Continuous button 304 for selecting the mode in which products        are dispensed continuously;    -   Purge button 305 for selecting the Purge mode;    -   Dose button 306 for selecting the mode in which dispensing is in        doses with the volume of the dose associated with the Dose        button;    -   a blue ball 300 that the user can move around inside the        volumetric triangle either by dragging it or using a double tap;    -   “−” buttons 302 for each product A, B and C: reduces the        fraction of product selected when moving along the straight line        connecting the point to the vertex of the product selected;    -   “+” buttons 302 for each product A, B and C: increases the        fraction of product selected when moving along the straight line        connecting the point to the vertex of the product selected;    -   volumetric fraction of each product as a percentage: modifiable        by the user and updated in real time according to the        instruction from the + and − buttons 302 and the position of the        ball 300.

While the volumetric fractions are being modified by moving the ball orusing the + and − buttons, the values of the volumetric fractions of theproducts A, B and C are updated automatically. When the volumetricfractions are modified using the + and − buttons, the ball 300 is movedautomatically into the corresponding position in the triangle.

When the application run on the tablet is started up, it automaticallyconnects to the dispenser 11 if it is detected. When the dispenser isswitched off or the Bluetooth connection is broken, the tabletdisconnects. When the user moves the cursors that adjust the proportionsof the products A and B, the values are transmitted in real time to thedispenser 11.

The Settings page of the application contains the following elements:

-   -   status bar at the top of the screen: indicates the status of the        Bluetooth connection or μMix if there is no Bluetooth        connection;    -   thumbnails at the bottom of the screen: for selecting the active        page:

main page, Settings, Bluetooth, or Info;

-   -   “Volumes” part with a text field to be filled in by the user to        define the volume of the dose, in ml (2 ml for example), and a        field for the purge volume, in ml (3 ml for example). The        minimum doses in this example are 0.023 ml and the maximum doses        are 9.90 ml (3×3.3 ml);    -   “Flow rate” part with selection of the flow rate: fast (>>0.03        ml/s), medium (>>0.02 ml/s) or slow (>>0.01 ml/s);    -   “Dose” part with iterative choice of the mixture, for dispensing        a mixture of products with small volumes delivered one after        another in several stages;

In the contrary case, the total volume of each product is dispensed inone hit;

-   -   “Triangle image” part for selecting the image of the triangle        that will be displayed on the main page in order to be able to        display a triangle with the odors delivered by the dispenser 11.        By using a “Choose image” button on the “Settings” page, an        album can be accessed.

The “Products” page of the application has, in the example in question,the following elements:

-   -   a choice of the value of each product in code step units from 0        to 1414.

Each unit corresponds to a delivered product volume of 2.33 μl, which isthe smallest quantity that the dispenser in this example can deliver;when this page is displayed, it is the values of products on this pagethat are transmitted in real time to the dispenser. As soon as the pageis no longer displayed, the values sent to the dispenser are those ofthe main page with the triangle;

-   -   display of the motor torques for A, B and C in real time        refreshed every 45 values.

The mode in which the products are delivered is the iterative or directdose mode, according to the option chosen on the Settings page.

The “Favorites” page allows configurations to be saved in a file. Itprovides access in the example in question to 10 files, namely“Configuration 1” to “Configuration 10” in addition to the default file.These files record for example the following parameters:

-   -   fractions of products A, B and C,    -   Purge volume,    -   Dose volume,    -   fast, medium or slow flow rate,    -   Dose, Purge or Continuous mode,    -   continuous or iterative dispensing.

Several tests are carried out with the dispensing system.

Example 1 (Ninth Aspect of the Invention)

A set of three base products was created:

F1: (orange peel odor) n-decanal 6% n-octanal 5% Klucel H CS 1% Absoluteethanol qs 100 F2 (rose odor) Phenylethyl ethanol 6% Klucel H CS 1%Absolute ethanol qs 100 F3 (anise odor) Anethole 2% Klucel H CS 1%Absolute ethanol qs 100

Each composition has a rheology ranging from 2 to 2.7 Pa·s.

The three cartridges were placed in the three compartments C1, C2 andC3.

Next, several mixtures (200 mg) were created:

Mixture 1: C1 0%, C2 50%, C3 50%

Mixture 2: C1 50%, C2 50%, C3 0%

Mixture 3: C1 50%, C2 0%, C3 50%

Mixture 4: C1 34%, C2 33%, C3 33%

The olfactory notes of these mixtures were compared with mixturescreated by balance of precision on 9 g.

Example 2 (Ninth Aspect of the Invention)

The same mixtures as in example 1 were created with the followingformulations:

F1: (orange peel odor) n-decanal 6% n-octanal 5% Klucel M CS 1% Absoluteethanol qs 100 F2 (rose odor) Phenylethyl ethanol 6% Klucel M CS 1%Absolute ethanol qs 100 F3 (anise odor) Anethole 2% Klucel M CS 1%Absolute ethanol qs 100

The olfactory notes of these mixtures were compared with mixturescreated by balance of precision on 9 g.

Example 3 (Comparative)

The same mixtures as in example 1 were created with the followingformulations:

F1: (orange peel odor) n-decanal 6% n-octanal 5% Absolute ethanol qs 100F2 (rose odor) Phenylethyl ethanol 6% Klucel M CS 1% Absolute ethanol qs100 F3 (anise odor) Anethole 2% Klucel M CS 1% Absolute ethanol qs 100

The viscosities were around 2 to 2.5 Pa·s for formulations F2 and F3 and<0.02 Pa·s for formulation F1.

The viscosity of the products was measured at 1 atm and 25° C. with aCONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar.

The olfactory notes of these mixtures were compared with mixturescreated by balance of precision on 9 g. An olfactory difference wasnoted in the case of mixtures 2, 3 and 4.

Mixture 2: C1 50%, C2 50%, C3 0%

Mixture 3: C1 50%, C2 0%, C3 50%

Mixture 4: C1 34%, C2 33%, C3 33%

Example 4 (Ninth Aspect of the Invention)

Two people, a specialist and a beginner in the world of perfumes, arespeaking on the telephone.

The beginner has the device with the compositions of example 1.

The beginner wishes to develop an aniseed and flowery formulation.

Firstly, the specialist regulates the device to create a mixture (100mg) M1: C1 20%, C2 0%, C3 80%, which she believes will satisfy thebeginner.

The beginner says that she thinks the mixture is too sweet. Thespecialist interprets this explanation and proposes a mixture (100 mg)M2: C1 20%, C40%, C3 40%, which she believes goes in the direction ofthe beginner's wishes.

The beginner says that she still thinks the mixture is too sweet. Thespecialist interprets this explanation and proposes a mixture (100 mg)M3: C1 30%, C50%, C3 20%, which she believes goes in the direction ofthe beginner's wishes.

The beginner says that she thinks the mixture is almost perfect. Thespecialist interprets this explanation and proposes three mixtures (100mg):

M4: C1 35%, C50%, C3 15%,

M5: C1 25%, C50%, C3 25%,

M6: C1 25%, C60%, C3 15%,

The beginner chooses her preferred mixture: M5

Next, a large quantity of mixture M5 is produced by weighing (25 g). Thebeginner then has a perfume with the same olfactory quality as the oneshe had determined during the work session with the specialist.

The same test carried out with the formulations of example 3 is alsopossible.

However, there is a difference between the mixture selected during thework session with the specialist and the perfume produced in a largequantity by weighing.

J) Dispensing System with a Set of Cartridges for Customizing the Levelsof Durability/Comfort

The precision of the color obtained is a very important factor forobtaining a quality result. Users also want to be able to alter thedurability and comfort of their makeup depending on the time, but alsothe location on the face. Usually, by using a product with gooddurability, the makeup is resistant, even in stressed areas. However,this solution is not satisfactory on account of the discomfort created.The use of a comfortable composition makes it possible to make up theentire face, including the most sensitive areas. However, this solutionis not very satisfactory on account of the poor durability of theexposed areas.

It is desirable for the properties of the film to be able to be adaptedto the different parts of the face or to the time in order to be able tomake up the entire face with one and the same system, even if thedifferent parts of the face require different levels of durability andcomfort.

It is known that the treatment of the lips requires good durability. Itis known that the treatment of the area around the eye requires a filmthat is more flexible and comfortable, possibly entailing more limiteddurability. It is also known that the treatment of the base requires afilm that is more comfortable than resistant. Other areas, which areless mobile, may benefit from films that are resistant without causingdiscomfort (for example, the nose).

It is also desired that the properties of the film can be adapted todifferent times of the day or of the year in order to be able to applymakeup suited to the time with one and the same system.

Thus, it is known that, sometimes, a person may wish for their lipstickto be as durable as possible, for instance in the case of a performanceor show. By contrast, on other occasions, it is comfort which takespriority, for example when socializing.

Usually, the solution consists in using a series of products created forsuch and such a part of the face. This approach, which is verywidespread, presents the problem of the number of references to beprovided in order to cover all the needs in terms of color.

In our case, given the desire to create several levels ofdurability/comfort, the approach would consist in multiplying theproducts.

Moreover, when there is a desire to be able to vary the concentrationsof colored ingredients (in order that the user can have the mostsuitable color(s) for each area), it is even more difficult to providean entire range of products, with different colors and different levelsof durability/comfort.

One possibility is to provide users with a single system for varyingdurability/comfort that is mounted with an entire set of cartridges ofproduct providing a variety of film qualities. In this case, dependingon the area to be treated, the system will use such and such a productwithout the user needing the change the cartridges of product in thecompartments of the system. However, this approach is not realisticsince it requires the system to have a very large number ofcompartments, and cartridges, requiring complex and expensivetechnology.

We have thus sought to propose a simple system for regulating theconcentration of colored ingredients and of film quality.

This system is especially advantageous for rapidly treating (withouthaving to change systems or cartridges) all of the areas of the face,varying the color thereof, and ensuring suitable film qualities.

It also allows the user to test their colors and film qualities untilthe best performance in terms of visual effect and comfort has beenachieved.

According to a tenth aspect, the invention seeks to solve this problem,and it achieves this aim by virtue of a system for dispensing a product,comprising a dispenser that receives at least two cartridges containinga first base product and a second base product, respectively, thedispenser making it possible to deliver at least these two base productsin adjustable proportions, the first base product comprising a volatilesolvent and a film-forming polymer, the second base product comprising anonvolatile oil.

The invention, according to this tenth aspect, has one or more of thefollowing features:

-   -   the first base product is in the form of a liquid anhydrous        composition,    -   the second base product is in the form of an anhydrous liquid        composition,    -   the first base product comprises an inverse emulsion,    -   the second base product comprises an inverse emulsion,    -   the film-forming polymer is hydrophobic,    -   the property of the film that varies is its flexibility,    -   the property of the film that varies is its oily nature,    -   the property of the film that varies is its tightening nature,    -   the two base products are chosen to react with one another to        form a film,    -   the first base product comprises a reactive silicone and the        second base product comprises a catalyst that brings about the        crosslinking of the reactive silicone,    -   the reactive silicone comprises a mixture of telechelic        polyorganosiloxane bearing a vinyl function at the two chain        ends and polyhydrogenosiloxane,    -   the catalyst is platinum based,    -   the first base product comprises a film-forming polymer and the        second base product comprises an oily compound that is liquid at        room temperature,    -   the film-forming polymer has a glass transition temperature Tg        greater than or equal to 30° C., better still greater than or        equal to 60° C.,    -   the film-forming polymer is chosen from vinyl, notably acrylic,        polymers or copolymers,    -   the film-forming polymer is lipsoluble,    -   the first and second base products contain different respective        film-forming polymers,    -   the film-forming polymer of the first base product has a glass        transition temperature Tg1 and the polymer of the second base        product has a glass transition temperature Tg2 different than        Tg1, wherein preferably Tg1>60° C. and Tg2<10° C.,    -   the first base product comprises a polymer or copolymer chosen        from methacrylic polymers and copolymers, polyamides, alkyl        celluloses, polymers and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, and        silicone resins,    -   the second base product comprises a polymer or copolymer chosen        from acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl polymers and        copolymers and polycondensates such as polyesters and        polyurethanes,    -   the first base product comprises an oily compound with a melting        point Mp1>20° C. and the second base product comprises an oily        compound with a melting point Mp2<20° C.

According to its tenth aspect, a subject of the invention is also amethod for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product to humankeratin materials, comprising the setting of the dispenser depending onthe area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

According to its tenth aspect, the invention is thus based on:

-   -   A dispensing system

At least two compartments which preferably comprise different inverseemulsions. One with a volatile solvent and a film former. The other witha nonvolatile oil.

-   -   The system may be programmed to deliver, for each location on        the face, the best mixture.

According to this tenth aspect, the invention makes it possible to treatone or more areas of the face and to obtain mixtures that are veryprecise in terms of color faithfulness and comfort and suitabledurability for obtaining particularly effective effects. Hereinbelow,the term “area” is used to denote a defined part of the face, fairlysmall in surface area, covering between 1 cm2 and 100 cm2, better stillranging from 2 cm2 to 50 cm2.

This concept applies here for all treatments in which a film isdeposited on the skin, said film being colored, concealing, or not. Forexample, the concept comprises the application of a protective film(with screening agents) or a treating film (with biological activeagents) or a tightening film.

The system according to the invention can vary the film produced,producing an effect of good durability or good comfort, and effects inbetween. Thus, depending on the adjustments chosen, thedurability/comfort properties of the film are not the same.

Dispensing System

The dispensing system may consist of a single device operatingautonomously, preferably able to be manipulated in one hand, or of adevice that operates in interaction with other components or devices. Itmay for example entail various outlet interfaces which are mounted onthe dispenser depending on the type of makeup to be created, as will bespecified below. It may also entail a computer system which exchangesinformation with the dispenser in order to operate the latter, thiscomputer system comprising, for example, a portable terminal such as asmartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a dedicatedterminal.

Preferably, the dispenser is designed to pressurize one or morecompartments containing the base product(s), via volumetric meteringdevices, preferably a motor causing a piston to move in thecorresponding compartment.

The dispenser may be formed of a housing and of at least two or threecompartments, and preferably an identical number of motors. For example,the rotation of the motors drives endless screws which push the pistonsof each compartment. The advancing movement of the pistons is, forexample, controlled by the number of command pulses sent to the motorsand/or by the length of time for which the latter are operating. Themotors may be powered in sequence or preferably simultaneously.

For example, the motors are powered during an elementary operating cyclefor a short duration one after the other or at the same time as oneanother, so as to dispense corresponding microdoses.

The elementary cycles are repeated, possibly with a pause between them,giving the base products time to flow out of the compartments.

The compartments may be defined by cartridges, which are removed whenthey become empty. As an alternative, the compartments are permanentlypresent and refilled once they become empty.

Each cartridge may be closed by a stopper that can be removed to allowthe cartridge to be cleaned.

Preferably, the housing of the dispenser is of elongate shape along alongitudinal axis, making it easier to handle, and the cartridges aredisposed about this axis, inside the housing.

Preferably, the cartridges are inserted from the rear and the mixture isdelivered from the front. The cartridges may be inserted individuallyor, as an alternative, the cartridges constitute a one-piece assembly asthey are inserted.

The cartridges may each have a volumetric metering mechanism comprisinga piston moved by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in a directionaccompanied by a reduction in the internal volume containing the baseproduct and the expulsion of some product. It may be advantageous forthe cartridges to have at least a region of their wall that istransparent so that the color of the product contained therein can beseen.

The drive mechanism may have a motorization system formed of motorscoupled to gearboxes, of elongate shape parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser, and positioned between the cartridges.Positioning the motors and cartridges in this way makes the dispenserparticularly compact.

The base product can leave the corresponding cartridge in a sealedmanner, then flow along a passage provided for this purpose in thehousing of the dispenser, before leaving the latter.

The cartridges advantageously end in an end piece produced in such a waythat, once the cartridge has been inserted into the housing of thedispenser, the end of the end piece terminates flush with the housing.As an alternative, the end piece is long enough to protrude beyond thehousing and thus connect various outlet interfaces that can be attachedto the housing of the dispenser.

By virtue of the drive mechanism having motors for causing the pistonsto advance, it is possible to precisely deliver mixtures in very smallquantities. Thus, the drive mechanism can deliver the base products witha minimum flow rate less than or equal to 50 μL/s, better still lessthan or equal to 20 μL/s, even better still less than or equal to 10μL/s. Preferably, the drive mechanism delivers flow rates of between 20and 100 μL/s, better still between 40 μL/s and 60 μL/s. It is thuspossible to easily create a mixture of around 10 mg. Such a dispensingsystem is therefore ideal for achieving small touches of makeup, forcovering an area of 1 cm², better still an area of 0.5 cm², for example.

It is also possible to create larger quantities of mixture such as thequantities needed to make up a cheek or a face. These quantities remainrelatively low, however, for example a quantity of between 100 and 500mg, better still between 150 and 250 mg.

Preferably, the cartridge has a dispensing end piece through which theproduct exits, and this dispensing end piece is driven in rotation bythe drive mechanism for moving the piston. The end piece may have atleast one rotation-proofing relief, better still two diametricallyopposed rotation-proofing studs.

The end piece may bear a seal, notably an O-ring seal. Thus, whenchanging the cartridge, the seal is also changed, making it possible toget around the problem of seal wear.

The dispenser may have an electronic board for controlling the motorizeddrive mechanism, this electronic board having the end piece(s) passingthrough it. This may make it possible to produce a board extendingacross substantially the entire cross section of the dispenser so thatall the electronic components of the dispenser can be grouped togetheron a single board, thus improving compactness and reliability. The boardmay extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The board may bear a switch for controlling operation of thedispenser.

The dispensing system may be designed to operate in at least twodispensing modes.

In a first mode, referred to as “continuous”, the mixture is dispensedas long as pressure is applied to the control switch.

In a second mode, referred to as “dose”, a predefined quantity of themixture is dispensed for each press of the switch.

The end piece(s) may terminate at one end of the housing. This may makeit possible to reduce the dead volume, as will be explained in detailbelow.

The end piece(s) may have at their end a shutoff system for preventingthe products from drying out in the duct, for example a self-healingmembrane.

The cartridge may have a hollow screw onto which the piston is screwed,the piston being able to move axially along the screw as the latterturns; the piston is prevented from turning in the body of thecartridge. For example, the friction of the piston against the body ofthe cartridge may be enough to prevent it from turning when the screwturns.

Preferably, rotation is rendered impossible with a cartridge body ofnon-circular cross section and a piston that is not deformable.

The torque of the motors may be determined electronically depending onthe current drawn, and may be used for example to detect that the pistonhas reached the end of its travel. Information regarding the torque maybe transmitted remotely to a computer system that has a man-machineinterface, in order that correct operation of the dispenser can bemonitored.

In order to adjust the shade, the dispensing system according to theinvention has to allow the user to vary the volume delivered from eachcompartment.

Preferably, the dispenser is operated by a computer system built intothe dispenser or external thereto, the dispenser then being able toexchange information with the computer system using a wireless or wiredprotocol.

The dispenser may thus be operated so as to allow the shade to beadjusted by controlled simultaneous or sequential dispensing of severalbase products of different colors.

The dispensing of the base products may be continuous; in such a case,the volumes of each of the base products are dispensed in a single shot,simultaneously or in succession.

In the case of simultaneous dispensing, it is beneficial to be able toadjust the respective flow rates of the various base products in orderfor the dispensed mixture to correspond to the desired mixture at alltimes. Such a dispensing mode may be suitable in particular whendispensing the mixture by spraying, using an airbrush. To adjust theflow rates it is possible, for example, to alter the speed at which thepistons move, for example in the case where the pistons are driven by anendless screw, by varying the rotational speed of the motors that drivethe screw. The products may also be dispensed in a pulsed manner with adispensing time and a pause in each cycle. By altering the duty cycle itis possible to alter the flow rate.

All the products may be delivered simultaneously during the dispensingtime or, as an alternative, the cycles of the various products arephase-shifted from one another so that one product is dispensed whilethe other products are paused.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixture is deliveredinto a cavity of a container which may close hermetically or not, forexample in the form of a cup, into which an applicator, particularly astylus or a brush may be slipped. Such a dispensing system is especiallysuited to liners, glosses and other formulations applied without directcontact with the hands. This container may be removable.

For example, it is used as a lip-color dispenser and has a dispensingsystem, for example using a screw. When it is not removable, thecontainer may be produced with the body of the dispenser. When it isremovable, it may constitute one output interface among others that canbe mounted on the dispenser.

The compartments, and in particular the cartridges, may contain all orpart of the drive mechanism and, for example, the motorizing system or,better still, part of the motorizing system, the purpose of this beingto reduce the number of moving parts in the body of the dispenseroutside the cartridges. For example, the cartridges contain the rotor ofthe motor. Once the cartridges have been installed in the body of thedispenser, the rotors are made to interact with the stators.

The dispensing system is advantageously arranged in such a way as toallow the running of preprogrammed sequences in which the mixturedelivered by the system is modified continuously or discontinuously. A“graduated” mode makes it possible for example to progress graduallyfrom a mixture A to a mixture B. In the case where the application is byspraying, notably using an airbrush, this makes it possible forgraduations to be achieved simply. An “alternate” mode makes it possiblefor example to switch quickly from a mixture

A to a mixture B several times in succession. In the case of applicationby spraying, a multilayer application can thus be achieved, withdifferent formulations for two superposed adjacent coats. Another modemakes it possible for example to offer several preprogrammed successivemixtures, the computer system each time indicating to the user how theseshould be used, for example by display on a screen.

In the case of manual application, the mixtures are dispensed forexample into a cup. The person applies the makeup to the recommendedplace with a corresponding mixture taken from the cup, then, ifnecessary, cleans out the cup and commands delivery of a new mixture;the operation is repeated as many times as necessary until the person isfully made up.

The mixtures dispensed can be homogenized in various ways depending onthe type of use. In the case of manual application, it can be donedirectly on the application area at the time of application or in thecup before the mixture is picked up; in the case of an airbrushapplication, the pipe of the airbrush is used as a mixing chamber; ifthe mixture is dispensed into a container for later use, homogenizationcan be performed by hand or by passing the dispensed products through amixing chamber situated between the dispenser and the container orincorporated directly into the container, as described in detail below.

The product may be delivered by the dispensing system and usedextemporaneously. As an alternative, the product delivered by thedispensing system is packaged and used later, for example on severaloccasions, with, for example, at least one day's interval between twouses.

In preferred exemplary embodiments:

Compartment 1 contains a composition C1.

Compartment 2 contains a composition C2.

The contact between C1 and C2, at different ratios, brings aboutdifferent film durability/comfort qualities.

Composition C1 preferably comprises a lipophilic continuous phase(inverse emulsion or liquid anhydrous composition) comprising afilm-forming polymer and a volatile solvent.

Composition C2 preferably comprises a lipophilic continuous phase(inverse emulsion or liquid anhydrous composition) comprising anonvolatile oil.

Film-Forming Polymer

This type of polymer is particularly advantageous insofar as it makes itpossible to significantly increase the durability of the matt effectover time.

According to a particularly preferred form of the invention, thecompositions according to the invention comprise at least onehydrophobic film-forming polymer.

Within the meaning of the invention, a “polymer” is understood to be acompound corresponding to the repetition of one or more units (theseunits resulting from compounds known as monomers). This or these unit(s)are repeated at least twice and preferably at least three times.

Within the meaning of the present invention, a “hydrophobic film-formingpolymer” is understood to denote a film-forming polymer that has noaffinity for water and, in this respect, does not lend itself to aformulation in the form of a solute in an aqueous medium. In particular,a hydrophobic polymer is understood to be a polymer which has asolubility in water at 25° C. of less than 1% by weight.

A “film-forming polymer” is understood to be a polymer that is capableof forming, by itself or in the presence of an auxiliary film-formingagent, a macroscopically continuous film on a support, especially onkeratin materials, and preferably a cohesive film, and better still afilm of which the cohesion and mechanical properties are such that saidfilm may be able to be isolated and manipulable in isolation, forexample when said film is prepared by pouring onto a non-stick surface,for instance a Teflon-coated or silicone-coated surface.

In particular, the hydrophobic film-forming polymer is a polymer chosenfrom the group comprising:

-   -   film-forming polymers that are soluble in an organic solvent        medium, in particular liposoluble polymers; this means that the        polymer is soluble or miscible in the organic medium and forms a        single homogeneous phase when it is incorporated into the        medium;    -   film-forming polymers that are dispersible in an organic solvent        medium, which means that the polymer forms an insoluble phase in        the organic medium, the polymer remaining stable and/or        compatible once incorporated into this medium. In particular,        such polymers may be in the form of non-aqueous dispersions of        polymer particles, preferably dispersions in silicone oils or        hydrocarbon-based oils; in one embodiment, the non-aqueous        polymer dispersions comprise polymer particles stabilized on        their surface with at least one stabilizing agent; these        non-aqueous dispersions are often referred to as NADs;    -   film-forming polymers in the form of aqueous dispersions of        polymer particles, which means that the polymer forms an        insoluble phase in water, the polymer remaining stable and/or        compatible once incorporated into the water, the polymer        particles possibly being stabilized at their surface with at        least one stabilizing agent. These polymer particles are often        known as “latices”.

Hydrophobic film-forming polymers that may notably be mentioned includehomopolymers and copolymers of a compound bearing an ethylenic unit,acrylic polymers and copolymers, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas,cellulose-based polymers such as nitrocellulose, silicone polymers suchas silicone resins, silicone polyamides, polymers bearing a non-siliconeorganic backbone grafted with monomers containing a polysiloxane,polyamide polymers and copolymers, and polyisoprenes.

In particular, said hydrophobic film-forming polymer(s) are presenttotally or partially, and preferably solely, in the gelled oily phase.

As hydrophobic film-forming polymers that are most particularly suitablefor use in the invention, mention may be made notably of block ethylenicpolymers, vinyl polymers comprising at least one carbosiloxane dendrimerderivative and silicone resins (T resin, MQ resin).

Volatile Solvent

Within the meaning of the invention, a “volatile solvent” is understoodto be any oil that is capable of evaporating on contact with the skin inless than one hour, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

The volatile oil is a volatile cosmetic compound, which is liquid atroom temperature, notably having a non-zero vapor pressure, at roomtemperature and atmospheric pressure, notably having a vapor pressureranging from 0.13 Pa to 40 000 Pa (10⁻³ to 300 mmHg), in particularranging from 1.3 Pa to 13 000 Pa (0.01 to 100 mmHg) and moreparticularly ranging from 1.3 Pa to 1300 Pa (0.01 to 10 mmHg).

The volatile oils may be hydrocarbon-based oils or silicone oils.

Among the volatile hydrocarbon-based oils containing from 8 to 16 carbonatoms, mention may be made notably of branched C8-C16 alkanes, forinstance C8-C16 isoalkanes (also known as isoparaffins), isododecane,isodecane, isohexadecane and, for example, the oils sold under the tradenames Isopar or Permethyl, branched C8-C16 esters, for instance isohexylneopentanoate, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the volatilehydrocarbon-based oil is chosen from volatile hydrocarbon-based oilscontaining from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof, inparticular from isododecane, isodecane and isohexadecane, and isespecially isohexadecane.

Mention may also be made of volatile linear alkanes comprising from 8 to16 carbon atoms, in particular from 10 to 15 carbon atoms and moreparticularly from 11 to 13 carbon atoms, for instance n-dodecane (C12)and n-tetradecane (C14) sold by Sasol under the respective referencesParafol 12-97® and Parafol 14-97®, and also mixtures thereof, theundecane-tridecane mixture, mixtures of n-undecane (C11) and ofn-tridecane (C13) obtained in examples 1 and 2 of the application WO2008/155 059 from the company Cognis, and mixtures thereof.

Volatile silicone oils that may be mentioned include linear volatilesilicone oils such as hexamethyldisiloxane, octamethyltrisiloxane,decamethyltetrasiloxane, tetradecamethylhexasiloxane,hexadecamethylheptasiloxane and dodecamethylpentasiloxane.

Volatile cyclic silicone oils that may be mentioned includehexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane.

Nonvolatile Oil

A “nonvolatile oil” is understood to be an oil that remains on the skinat ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure for at least severalhours, and that in particular has a vapor pressure of less than 0.13 Pa(0.01 mmHg).

These nonvolatile oils may be hydrocarbon-based oils, notably of animalor plant origin, silicone oils, or mixtures thereof. A“hydrocarbon-based oil” is understood to be an oil mainly containinghydrogen and carbon atoms and possibly oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and/orphosphorus atoms.

Nonvolatile hydrocarbon-based oils that may especially be mentionedinclude:

-   -   hydrocarbon-based oils of animal origin,    -   hydrocarbon-based oils of plant origin such as triglycerides        constituted by fatty acid esters of glycerol, the fatty acids of        which may have chain lengths varying from C4 to C24, these        chains possibly being linear or branched, and saturated or        unsaturated; these oils are in particular heptanoic or octanoic        acid triglycerides, or alternatively wheatgerm oil, sunflower        oil, grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, corn oil, apricot oil,        castor oil, shea oil, avocado oil, olive oil, soybean oil, sweet        almond oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, hazelnut        oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, alfalfa oil, poppy oil, pumpkin        oil, marrow oil, blackcurrant oil, evening primrose oil, millet        oil, barley oil, quinoa oil, rye oil, safflower oil, candlenut        oil, passion-flower oil and musk rose oil; shea butter; or else        caprylic/capric acid triglycerides,    -   synthetic ethers containing from 10 to 40 carbon atoms,    -   linear or branched hydrocarbons of mineral or synthetic origin,        such as petroleum jelly, polydecenes, hydrogenated        polyisobutene, squalane and liquid paraffins, and mixtures        thereof,    -   synthetic esters such as oils of formula R1COOR2 in which R1        represents a linear or branched fatty acid residue containing        from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and R2 represents a notably branched        hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, on        the condition that R1+R2≥10, for instance purcellin oil        (cetostearyl octanoate), isopropyl myristate, isopropyl        palmitate, C12 to C15 alkyl benzoates, hexyl laurate,        diisopropyl adipate, isononyl isononanoate, isodecyl        neopentanoate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, isostearyl isostearate,        2-hexyldecyl laurate, 2-octyldecyl palmitate, 2-octyldodecyl        myristate, alkyl or polyalkyl heptanoates, octanoates,        decanoates or ricinoleates such as propylene glycol dioctanoate;        hydroxylated esters such as isostearyl lactate, diisostearyl        malate and 2-octyldodecyl lactate; polyol esters and        pentaerythritol esters,    -   fatty alcohols that are liquid at room temperature, with a        branched and/or unsaturated carbon-based chain containing from        12 to 26 carbon atoms, for instance octyldodecanol, isostearyl        alcohol, oleyl alcohol, 2-hexyldecanol, 2-butyloctanol and        2-undecylpentadecanol,    -   higher fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid or        linolenic acid, and mixtures thereof,

The nonvolatile silicone oils that may be used in the compositionaccording to the invention may be nonvolatile polydimethylsiloxanes(PDMSs), polydimethylsiloxanes comprising alkyl or alkoxy groups, thatare pendent and/or at the end of a silicone chain, the groups eachcontaining from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, phenyl silicones, for instancephenyl trimethicones, phenyl dimethicones,phenyltrimethylsiloxydiphenylsiloxanes, diphenyl dimethicones,diphenylmethyldiphenyltrisiloxanes, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the oily phase comprises at least one silicone oil, evenmore preferably chosen from:

-   -   volatile cyclic silicone oils having a viscosity at room        temperature of less than 8 cSt and containing in particular from        4 to 7 silicon atoms, these silicones optionally comprising        alkyl or alkoxy groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, in        particular chosen from hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane,        octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and        dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (cyclohexasiloxane), and mixtures        thereof;    -   volatile or nonvolatile polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs) (INCI        name: Dimethicone);    -   phenylated silicones;    -   polydimethylsiloxanes comprising aliphatic groups, in particular        alkyl groups, or alkoxy groups, which are pendent and/or at the        end of the silicone chain; these groups each comprising from 6        to 24 carbon atoms, and more particularly caprylyl methicone,        such as the commercial product Dow Corning FZ-3196® from the        company Dow Corning;    -   mixtures thereof.

Optimization

It is very advantageous to have as few compartments as possible.

Thus, if the system is desired to be able to adjust the color, it willbe necessary to provide two compartments in addition to the two intendedfor controlling the film quality. Thus, it will be necessary to provide:

-   -   compartments 1 and 2 containing the ingredients for varying the        quality of durability/comfort of the film, and    -   other compartments (3 or 4 for example), for placing the        ingredients M for varying the color therein.

It is also possible to place the active agents M in compartments 1 or 2or 1 and 2.

In this way, the total number of compartments is reduced to 3, or even2, rather than 4.

For example, the active agents M are put in the products that are placedin compartments 1 and 2. In compartment 1, M is set at a highconcentration, and in compartment 2, M is set at a low concentration.

The active agents that produce the film and regulate thedurability/comfort properties thereof are thus placed in compartments 1and 2. Specifically, in the example, a polymer+volatile solvent incompartment 2 and the nonvolatile solvent in compartment 1.

If the system is used with a majority setting in 1, a product with aconcentration of nonvolatile solvent and active agent M is obtained.

The majority setting in 1 can then be used on foundation areas whereextensive coverage and a comfortable film are desired.

The majority setting in 2 can be used on marked areas of the face. Thelow quantity of colored active agent M does not make it possible toobtain good concealing, but this concealing will last over time, thuscompensating for the moderate concealing power. The discomfort in theseareas, of limited area, is not considered bothersome.

It is possible to place an active agent M1 in a product intended forcompartment 1 and an active agent M2 in a product intended forcompartment 2. For example, M1 is a yellow pigment and M2 is a redpigment. The active agents that produce the film and regulate thedurability/comfort properties thereof are thus placed in compartments 1and 2. Specifically, in the example, a polymer+volatile solvent incompartment 2 and the nonvolatile oil in compartment 1.

The majority setting in 1 can then be used on foundation areas where abase color and a comfortable film are desired.

The majority setting in 2 can be used on areas such as the lips or thecheeks. A reddish color with good durability is obtained.

It is possible to place an active agent M1 in a product intended forcompartment 1 and the same active agent M1 in a product intended forcompartment 2. For example, M1 is a yellow pigment. The active agentsthat produce the film and regulate the durability/comfort propertiesthereof are thus placed in compartments 1 and 2. Specifically, in theexample, a polymer+volatile solvent in compartment 2 and the nonvolatileoil in compartment 1.

The majority setting in 1 can then be used on foundation areas where abase color and a comfortable film are desired.

The majority setting in 2 can be used on contour areas such as the topof the forehead or the nose. Thus, the same color as the rest of theface is obtained, but with better durability, making it possible toresist movements and rubbing and movements of the hair and/orspectacles.

It is possible to place the active agents M in a compartment 3. Forexample, a yellow pigment is placed therein.

The active agents that produce the durability/comfort of the film andregulate the film properties are placed in compartments 1 and 2.Specifically, in the example, a polymer+volatile solvent in compartment2 and the nonvolatile oil in compartment 1.

The invention according to this tenth aspect is not limited to activeagents that provide coloring effects. It is possible to use care activeagents such as anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, antiperspirant,mark-preventing, photoprotective and moisturizing active agents.

It is also possible to mix active agents that provide coloring effectsand care effects.

Use for Making Up One or More Precise Areas of the Skin

The dispensing system allows makeup to be applied, day after day, withonly the areas that need to be hidden being treated. To this end, smalldoses of makeup are delivered, and are applied specifically andsequentially to the corresponding areas. Each small dose is createdusing the mixture suited to the area.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemwaits for information regarding which area is to be treated and thendelivers the corresponding mixture. It may use a preprogrammed look-uptable for that purpose, this table being the result for example of alearning process as defined below.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the programming takes intoaccount the resistance and comfort to be achieved in order to obtainoptimum results. As an alternative, the dispensing system informs theperson, when delivering a mixture, of the area to which the person is toapply the mixture. Thus, the dispensing system may follow an applicationprogram in which it delivers, in a given order, the various mixturesthat are to be applied.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isinformed as to the quantities to be delivered. For that, it memorizesthe relationship between the color, the area of the face and thequantity needed, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and wastageof product, and to cover the skin only lightly, thus avoiding occlusioneffects. In so doing, it is possible to use products that have a highcovering capability and provide too much cover to be applied to thewhole of the face. Thus, it is possible to obtain makeup of natural oreven undetectable appearance.

The dispensing system may also make it possible, by facilitating thedispensing of small quantities and rapid use thereof, to reduce the timefor which the products are kept, thus making it possible to reduce therisks of the products changing and/or to reduce the amounts ofpreservative to be used.

The dispensing system is suited to treating the areas that are to beconcealed, without having to conceal the entire face.

When the user is looking for the color to apply to an area of the face,it is advantageous to memorize the color best suited to each area, andthe dispensing system is thus advantageously designed to memorize thiscolor and the corresponding area. Thus, by using the memorizedinformation, on each use, the same mixture can be delivered for eacharea or, if several areas are being treated, the same series of mixturescan be delivered for the same series of areas.

The dispensing system may also be designed to allow an area to betreated by varying the colors application after application. Thus, theperson may make up her lips using different colors that she chooses on aday-by-day basis to suit her tastes. This approach is also suitable forthe eyelids or eyelashes, and for face makeup because the person mayfancy a change of foundation color. For example, on weekdays, the personapplies a pale colored foundation, with a more tanned foundation colorat the weekends, or may have eye makeup in one color one day and anothercolor another day.

The dispensing system may be designed to allow the user to change colorto suit her tastes according to the day, the time, what she is wearing,and the weather. Thus, a system to assist with decision making isadvantageously provided to guide the user in her choices of color.

An assistance system may also be provided for balancing the colors onthe same face and contribute toward a successful overall makeup look.

It may be desirable for several people in the same group, for example afamily, to be able to use the dispensing system, thus reducing costs andminimizing the space taken up. This solution is particularly suited totravel or hotels, campsites, airplanes, campervans, boutiques, schools,etc. For that, provision may be made for the dispensing system to beable to be informed as to which person is using it, so as to accesspre-stored personal data.

Continuous Use for Graduated Makeup

In this application, the dispensing system changes the formulation ofthe mixture while it is delivering the product. In addition, the outletfor the base products or for the mixture is moved relative to acontainer or a support defining an application surface. In oneparticular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system isdesigned to calculate the way in which the mixture evolves as a functionof the color C1 of one area to be treated and of the color C2 of anotherarea to be treated. For example, with the knowledge that the chinrequires a color C1 and that the cheek requires a color C2, thedispensing system may vary the formulation of the mixture while it isdelivering it in order to graduate the color between these two colors.This makes it possible for example to better conceal imperfections ofthe face while ensuring that the end result is realistic, or allowscolor to be graduated for beautifying purposes. The dispensing systemmay also be designed such that the user can command a variation in colorof the mixture dispensed without the start and/or end colors having beenset beforehand. To do that, the dispensing system may possess a locationor auto-location system and deduce from a look-up table the colors C1and C2 that it has to create and therefore the changes in the mixturethat it has to make.

The dispensing system may have an outlet head, in particular in the caseof an airbrush, which is mobile and steered. This option then makes itpossible to achieve graduated effects without moving the rest of thedispensing system. For example, the dispensing system is located near tothe cheek, then a control system is triggered that will automaticallysteer the variation in formulation of the mixture and the movement ofthe outlet head so as, for example, to make the center of the cheekredder than the periphery thereof, with a graduation between the two.

The dispensing system may even be used to create tailor-made productsthat are kept for several applications.

It is also possible to produce solid or semi-solid products.

Manufacture of “Bespoke” Compacts or Other Solid or Semi-Solid Products

The dispensing system may be designed to allow a mixture to be chosenand delivered to a container such as a cup. The mixture preferablycomprises compounds which are such that the mixture can set solid.

More preferably, use is made of compounds that make the settingespecially rapid. These compounds are either deposited in the containerbefore or after it is filled with the other ingredients, or are providedin the compartments of the dispenser with the other constituents of thebase products, or are contained in the dispenser in a compartmentespecially designed to contain them.

Specific compositions which may harden quickly by chemical, biochemicalor physicochemical reaction after discharge may thus be dispensed.

These compositions are especially designed for the creation of compacts,namely they:

-   -   set solid,    -   yield a material that can crumble if rubbed, and are preferably        colored.

Preferably, these compositions are very rich in solid particles, withfor example more than 10% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, better still more than 20% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition, evenbetter still more than 30% by mass of solid particles relative to thetotal mass of the composition, preferably between 10 and 40% by mass ofsolid particles relative to the total mass of the composition. Thesecompositions may contain absorbent particles or reactive compounds, suchas those that react in contact with the air, for example cyanoacrylateor alpha-silanes or those which react to light, notably UV.

The container into which the mixture is dispensed may contain a compoundA and the dispensed compositions may contain a compound B, A and B beingchosen to react with one another and solidify the mixture.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the dispensing systemincorporates a heating means, for example with an electrical resistor,to create lipsticks or other waxy products. In that case, the baseproducts are heated before being delivered.

The dispensing system may also comprise a means for supplying heatand/or light energy, after the mixture has been dispensed into acontainer, for example an electrical resistor or an LED, notably UV.This energy may accelerate the setting-solid of the dispensed mixture.

Preferably, the mixture is homogenized before it sets solid.

Creation of Color Palettes

The dispensing system may have a support, having several regions, andmay be designed to automatically generate several mixtures deposited insaid regions, for example a series of colors suited to various parts ofthe face.

The support may define several cavities to receive the mixtures or maybear several containers, for example in the form of cups, potentiallycups that are separable from the support.

In one particular case, the support adopts the shape of a face withregions for receiving the mixtures for targeted application areas.

The support may be able to move, notably to rotate, with respect to thebody of the dispenser and, for example, may be driven in its movement bythe dispenser so that various spaces or containers can be filled insuccession.

Cup-Type Dispenser

There is a benefit to having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that the user can easily pick up. Moreover, in cases in whichthe base products delivered by the dispensing system are not alreadyblended, there is a need to allow the user to perform the mixing easily.

The dispensing system may have a cup and a dispenser for filling the cupwith at least one product, the cup being secured to the dispenser atleast while it is being filled.

The cup is sometimes also known as a “crucible” and that term should beunderstood in its broadest sense.

A “cup secured to the dispenser” should be understood as meaning thatthe cup is held, notably immobilized, at least temporarily, on thedispenser, being for example fixed to the latter by screws, magneticattraction, clip-fastening, bayonet locking, clamping, or produced witha part of the dispenser body by material molding. When it is secured tothe dispenser, the cup allows the latter to be manipulated in one hand,the cup remaining in place on the dispenser while the latter is beingmoved around.

The dispenser may be offered to the user with the cup already in place.

As an alternative, the cup is installed by the user the first time thedispensing system is used.

The cup is preferably less deep than it is wide, making access to iteasier and allowing the product, notably the mixture, to be picked upwith an applicator or a finger.

Preferably, the cup is separable from the dispenser and constitutes oneoutlet interface that can be chosen from a collection of outletinterfaces that can be mounted on the dispenser, at the choice of theuser and according to the making up to be performed, as described indetail below.

Preferably, the dispensing system comprises several filling orifices forfilling with different base products, opening into the cup. Thus, themixing of these products may take place in the cup.

The cup preferably has a bottom that is concave toward the outside,making it easier for the user to clean it between two uses.

In addition, this may make the product easier for the user to pick upand the base products easier to mix.

Preferably, the dispenser allows at least two base products to bedelivered into the cup, in adjustable proportions, and better still atleast three products.

In one exemplary embodiment, the dispensing system has at least two cupsthat can be selectively fed by the dispenser. This may allow the user tofill these two cups quickly with mixtures with differentcharacteristics. This may facilitate the testing of colored substancesand/or allow the preparation of several different color mixturesintended for making up respective areas of the face. The cups may beassociated with identifiers that remind the user of the area of the facefor which a mixture contained in a given cup is intended.

The cups may be able to move relative to the dispenser, being forexample borne by a mobile support such as a turret that is rotatablewith respect to the dispenser or by a slide capable of translationalmovement with respect to the dispenser.

The dispensing system may comprise a lid for closing the cup. Thisclosure lid is preferably transparent so that the user can see the colorof the mixture contained inside.

When the cup is separable from the dispenser it may if necessary beintroduced into a housing that allows it to be transported more easily,this housing being able, if necessary, to contain a mirror and/or anapplicator. The lid of the housing may in this case act as a lid for thecup.

The volume of the cup may be between 2 and 1000 mm³, better stillbetween 100 and 1000 mm³, even better still between 250 and 750 mm³.

The base product(s) delivered into the cup are preferably foundations,but as an alternative may be makeup products for the lips or eyelids.

The cup preferably has a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution. Asan alternative, it has a polygonal or some other contour. Its largestinside diameter, or that of the inscribed circle in the case of anoncircular contour, is preferably between 2 and 100 mm, preferentiallybetween 5 and 40 mm. Its depth is preferably between 1 and 10 mm, betterstill between 3 and 8 mm. Preferably, the size and shape of the cupeither allow direct application of the mixture to the skin or allow themixture to be picked up on a finger or using an applicator. The cup maybe made of an elastically deformable material, making it possible forexample to turn the concavity of the bottom of the cup inside out andempty it more easily or use it to apply the product.

The cup may have no blender; in that case, the base products may arrivein the cup from the dispenser in the unmixed state, via distinctrespective dispensing orifices. As an alternative, the dispenserincorporates a blender and the base products arrive in the cup alreadyblended.

The cup may also incorporate a static blender as described in detailbelow, which is fed via distinct filling orifices of the dispenser andwhich preferably delivers the mixture into a cavity of the cup situatedabove the blender.

A further subject of the invention is a method for preparing a makeupproduct, comprising the step of filling a cup of a dispensing system asdefined above with at least one base product from the dispenser.

Several products may be delivered into the bottom of the cup, thenblended using a finger or an applicator, or a static blenderincorporated into the cup.

The cup is preferably filled from beneath. Dispensing systems using asonotrode have been proposed in the past.

The cup according to the invention is not intended to vibrate in orderto dispense the product(s) conveyed by the feed passage(s) supplying it.It differs from a sonotrode. Preferably, the cup is made of plastic.

Blender Incorporated into the Outlet Interface

There is a benefit in having a dispensing system capable of delivering amixture that can easily be used, notably picked up by the user, withoutthe need for an additional mixing action on the part of the user.

The dispensing system may have a dispenser having outlet passages forbase products and an outlet interface that is separable from thedispenser, this interface having a static blender that preferablydelivers the mixture into a cavity where it can be picked up.

The static blender may be situated under the abovementioned cavity. Thedispensing system is then particularly suited to the creation ofcompacts, using cups with an in-built static blender as outletinterfaces. In that case, the cavity of the cup is filled with productfrom beneath. After passing into the static blender, the blended baseproducts cover the blender.

It is possible to use several outlet interfaces and to fill them withdifferent respective mixtures, without the need to purge the blender,thereby reducing losses of product. The outlet interface may be asingle-use interface, if necessary.

Preferably, the static blender has a central chamber communicating withbase product intake ducts. This central chamber may communicate with aperipheral chamber having a series of partitions which act as deflectorsfor the mixture and create shearing thereof.

The peripheral chamber may have a perforated annular partition definingperforations through which the mixture passes as it circulates in theperipheral chamber. The central and peripheral chambers may be closed atthe top by a wall which defines the end wall of the cavity receiving themixture.

The end wall of the peripheral chamber may be of helical shape about theaxis of the cup and of a height that decreases in the direction towardthe outlet. The latter may open ahead of a connecting ramp connectingthe end wall of the peripheral chamber and the top wall of the blender,this connecting ramp preferably being a portion of a helix extending thehelix formed by the end wall of the peripheral chamber.

Preferably, the peripheral chamber comprises the abovementioned annularpartition and radial partitions that force the mixture to circulatealternately between upper and lower regions of the peripheral chamberand between radially inner and outer regions, the mixture circulatingfor example from an upper and radially outer region to a lower andradially outer region by passing through the abovementioned annularpartition.

The blender may have an outer body in which a component forming the coreof the blender is housed, the outer body radially closing the peripheralchamber on the outside and comprising an upright that separates thecentral and peripheral chambers.

The outer body of the blender and the core of the blender may each beproduced as a single piece by injection molding.

Reduced Dead Volume

There is benefit to be had in reducing the losses of product whenchanging the formulation of the mixture and in allowing the color of themixture to be varied as quickly as possible during application,particularly when the dispenser is coupled to an airbrush.

The dispensing system may have a dispenser receiving at least twocartridges that each have a reservoir containing a base product, thelatter leaving the cartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge,this outlet passage opening out at the outside of the dispenser or nearthe external surface thereof.

The outlet passage may notably open into an area in which the mixture ispicked up or close to this area, notably less than 5 mm away, betterstill less than 3 mm away, better still less than 1 mm away, or evenbetter still flush therewith.

The cross section of the outlet passage is, for example, between 1 and 3mm².

Thus, each base product coming from a cartridge can leave the dispenserwithout mixing with a base product from another cartridge and the deadvolume that cannot be picked up and is likely to increase the inertia ofthe system is minimized. The product is more quickly available withouthaving to circulate through special passages in the housing of thedispenser, thereby avoiding a painstaking purging step in the event of acartridge change.

The outside of the dispenser may be the product pickup area, notablywhen the dispenser is produced with a cup that is not designed to beremoved, into which the mixture is dispensed, or a dispensing areaintended for the mounting of a removable outlet interface, which definesthe pickup area. This outlet interface may have a cup as defined above.This mounting area corresponds for example to the outside of the housingof the dispenser in the absence of the outlet interface. The mountingarea may be substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the dispenser housing.

The dispenser may have three cartridges of base products.

The dispenser may have housings for receiving the cartridges, which arepreferably received removably in the dispenser. The latter may comprisepassages for ducts for the cartridges defining the outlet passages.

The length of these ducts is preferably such that the ducts are set backslightly from the end or lie flush with the cavity used for picking upthe product or, as an alternative, are set back slightly from or lieflush with the end face of the housing of the dispenser that defines themounting area.

These ducts of the cartridges may be end pieces used for causing thepistons to move within the cartridges, as described in detail above.

Multiple Outlet Interfaces

There is a need to be able, using the same dispensing system, to achievedifferent makeup looks easily and be able, if so desired, to make upareas as different as the skin, the lips, the eyelashes or eyebrows.

The dispensing system may comprise an assembly having a dispenser of atleast one cosmetic product, in particular makeup, and at least twooutlet interfaces, each of which can be mounted removably on thedispenser, these outlet interfaces being able to receive the product(s)delivered by the dispenser, preferably being chosen from the following:

-   -   an outlet interface having a container, notably a cup, allowing        the product to be picked up using a finger or using an        applicator,    -   an outlet interface allowing the product to be delivered to a        spray system, notably an airbrush,    -   an outlet interface having several regions for receiving the        product, which can move relative to the dispenser,    -   an outlet interface that allows the product to be delivered to a        dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least three of said outletinterfaces, or better still the four outlet interfaces.

The dispenser may comprise at least two different base products andallow these to be delivered in variable proportions and, preferably, thedispenser comprises three different base products and allows these to bedelivered in variable proportions.

Each outlet interface may have a base allowing it to be fixed to thedispenser. This fixing may be done using screws for example, butpreferably the base is designed to allow an outlet interface to beremoved and replaced without the need for tools. It is, for example, aquarter-turn fixing or a fixing using an external locking ring.

The outlet interface and/or the housing of the dispenser may compriseseals allowing sealed communication between the housing of the dispenserand the outlet interface. If appropriate, the dispenser is designed torecognize the outlet interface mounted above, for example by virtue ofthe outlet interface having identifiers in the form of specific reliefswhich are detected by the dispenser, or in the form of an electronicchip that the dispenser recognizes. That may allow the operation of thedispenser to be adapted to the outlet interface mounted above. Thedispenser may communicate information about the outlet interface it isbearing to a computer system, and the computer system may, on the basisof this information, display a specific screen and/or run a specificprogram for controlling the operating parameters of the dispenser so as,for example, to adapt the dose dispensed and/or the flow rate to thetype of outlet interface.

The user may be initially offered several outlet interfaces with acommon dispenser within one and the same package, for example a case ora cardboard box.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method involving the stepof selecting an outlet interface, mounting it on the dispenser, anddelivering the product(s) contained in the dispenser to the interface.

Mapping and Learning

The term “mapping” should be understood here as meaning a process ofindexing a color with an area, with recording.

The mapping may relate to applications to areas smaller than 1 cm².However, the naked eye then has difficulty in discerning whether theresult obtained is adequate, and it is preferable to substitute aninstrumented evaluation with magnification for evaluation by the nakedeye. Small quantities of colored substance may be applied with a finger,using conventional tools such as brushes, or using specialistapplicators.

The map may be generated during a learning period in which the usercarries out tests with mixtures on different areas of the face; oncecreated, the map can then be used for everyday makeup. This learningperiod may take account of the resistance and the comfort. In theprocess, the user tests several adjustments and inputs the bestadjustment obtained.

Specific graphic interfaces can be used during the learning period andduring the period of use of the map.

In particular, the dispensing system may be used with a graphicinterface in which the operator sees the face, which is for example aschematic, figurative or accurate representation such as a photograph ora 3D simulation. In that case, the operator can point at part of theface on the screen to show and/or deliver the appropriate color.

The graphic interface may also show the other areas of the face whereuse of that same color is appropriate.

To create the map, the operator applies a color, then makes anassessment.

The areas of the face can be treated one after the other; for example,the exercise is carried out on part of the cheek, then on the nose, etc.

Another option is to create a given mixture and apply this same mixtureto several areas. The operator then needs to look for the area of theface to which the color is suited. The mixture is then indexed in thecomputer system which attributes it to the area(s) of the face for whichit is suitable.

In one of its aspects, independently of or in combination with the otheraspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is a learning process for a dispensing system comprising adispenser for dispensing a mixture of variable color, and a computersystem for selecting a color and for storing data, comprising the stepsof:

a) selecting at least one color with the aid of an interface of thecomputer system,

b) delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one mixture ofthe selected color,

c) evaluating the mixture(s) dispensed following the application thereofto at least one area of the face,

d) memorizing the characteristics of at least one mixture, notably amixture that the user wishes to be able to recall, and of at least onearea on which it has been tested.

This memorizing can be carried out notably with a view to subsequentdispensing of this mixture for making up said area.

Preferably, the computer system is designed to allow the user toindicate whether or not the result of the test is satisfactory, or evento inform same of the comparison with a test carried out earlier.

It is also possible to create a given mixture and to look for the areaof the face for which it is suitable. The mixture is then recorded,being attributed to the area(s) of the face for which it is suitable, ina look-up table that will be used subsequently in order to deduce whichmixture to use on the basis of an area of the skin.

The same procedure can be adopted with other mixtures in order to createa map of the entire face and thus have a complete look-up table for theface.

It is also possible to create a given mixture, apply it to a given area,and then vary the mixture until the most suitable mixture is obtained.The mixture is then recorded, being attributed to the area(s) of theface for which it is suitable, in a look-up table that will be usedsubsequently in order to deduce which mixture to use on the basis of anarea of the skin.

Preferably, the computer system evaluates and memorizes the quantitiesused area by area. Such a method, which uses “test patches” makes itpossible to identify the product(s) required by the person wishing toapply makeup. Thus, the dispensing system can be used at sales outletsto advise people wishing to apply makeup or at home in order to definecorrectly which products to order.

The interface of the computer system preferably has a touch screendisplaying the color of the mixture when it is selected.

The interface may display a face and allow the computer system to beinformed by selecting the area on the face displayed.

The computer system is preferably designed to allow an area, mixturereconstruction parameters, and the date of the test and/or any otheridentifier of the mixture to be associated with one another.

The computer system is preferably also designed to allow at least one ofthe following data: the name of the area, the period of the year, thename of an event, a user identifier and the age of the user, toadditionally be associated with said area, with the mixturereconstruction parameters, and with the date or identifier of themixture.

Steps a) to c) may be repeated at least once before the characteristicsof the mixture are memorized in step d).

The computer system may be designed to search a database for a referenceof a commercial product on the basis of the characteristics of themixture identified as being suitable for at least one given area, and torelay this information to the user.

The selection in step a) may be carried out using an expert system,which may or may not be external to the computer system.

The expert system may analyze an image of the user in order to propose amixture color at least on the basis of the image analyzed.

Step a) may be preceded by the computer system proposing to the user acolor and an area to be tested with a mixture of this color.

The computer system may be designed to allow the user to inform same ofhis or her assessment of the result of the test in step c) and togenerate a proposal to modify the mixture to be selected upon return tostep a).

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one color ofmixture in step a) depending on an application area of which it has beeninformed by the user.

The computer system may be designed to propose at least one applicationarea in step a), on the basis of a color of which it has been informedby the user.

The dispenser may deliver, in step b), at least two mixtures ofdifferent colors, preferably separate, so that they can be appliedsimultaneously to the test area.

This may allow time to be saved and make it easier to compare theresults.

A further subject of the invention is a method of making up using adispensing system according to this aspect of the invention, in which:

a) the user sends the computer system a request regarding a need formakeup,

b) in return, the computer system generates a proposed color for makingup an associated zone, on the basis of the learning performedbeforehand, and

c) the computer system operates the dispenser to produce the mixture ofthe proposed color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Such a method may use a map previously established with the user.

A further subject of the invention is a computer program productcontaining code instructions which, when run in a computer system, allowthe computer system to be made to:

-   -   allow the user to select at least one color and/or one        application area, notably using an interface such as a touch        screen,    -   operate a dispenser in such a way as to deliver a mixture of the        color selected by the user,    -   allow the user to trigger the memorizing of the color of the        mixture and of an associated application area, notably with a        view to subsequently dispensing the same mixture, notably on the        same area.

The computer program product may comprise code instructions which, whenrun in a computer system, allow the computer system to be made to:

-   -   receive a request from the user regarding a need for makeup,        notably using an interface such as a touch screen,    -   propose, on the basis at least of data generated by the learning        process as defined above, at least one color and/or one        application area,    -   operate a dispenser to produce the mixture of the proposed        color, notably if this is validated by the user.

Remote Assistance

It is desirable to be able to assist the user in applying makeup,notably in choosing the correct colorings.

A further subject of the invention is thus a makeup method comprisingthe steps of:

-   -   allowing a video link to be established, for example over the        Internet, between a camera on a first site and a second site,    -   allowing the second site to directly or indirectly operate a        dispenser present at the first site, this dispenser making it        possible to vary the color of a mixture dispensed,    -   allowing a person present at the first site to apply the mixture        dispensed and to send a corresponding image to the second site,        so as to receive in return information relating to the makeup        result.

The second site may notably have a viewing screen which allows anadviser sitting at this screen to see the makeup result with the productdispensed by the dispenser and advise the person who has applied themakeup. This adviser may in return influence the dispenser to alter thecolor of the mixture and adapt it to best suit the face of the personpresent at the first site. Thus, this person controls the mixturedelivered by the dispenser. The first person may make herself up underthe gaze of the second. The second person sees the result of the test ontheir screen and can thus correct the mixture that this second personwill control remotely until the ideal makeup is obtained.

If appropriate, the video acquisition can be calibrated using a testpattern or with the mixture dispensed by the dispenser onto a referencesurface. That then allows a more faithful display of the makeup appliedat the first site.

Preferably, the video link between the two sites is a two-way link.

The first site may receive a tutorial from the second site, ifappropriate.

Identifiers of the base products may be communicated to the second site;this may make it possible to precisely determine the color of each ofthe base products.

The method may involve memorizing the dispenser setting parameters oncea given mixture is considered to be satisfactory. Preferably, thismemory storage may be commanded from the second site. The memory storagemay be in the computer system present at the first site and/or on anexternal server.

One alternative may be to have one person working to help several applymakeup. This embodiment makes it possible to develop makeup artists andtheir work, either within an institute or over the Internet. It alsoallows people with limited capabilities, such as people with pooreyesight, or people who have difficulty discerning colors, or theelderly, or those lacking in self-confidence to apply makeup.

Operation Via Touch-Sensitive Interface

There is a need to make it easier to control the dispensing system andnotably the choice of the color of the mixture dispensed.

In another of its aspects, independently of or in combination with theother aspects thereof, and notably with the foregoing, one subject ofthe invention is thus a dispensing system comprising a dispenser and acomputer system for operating the dispenser, this computer systemcomprising a touch screen on which the color of the mixture may bedisplayed and a selection means that can be moved over the screen inorder to vary the color of the mixture dispensed.

Preferably, the screen displays end-point colors between which the colorof the mixture can be selected by moving the selection means betweenthese end-point colors.

The screen may display a scale of colors between at least two colors, oran area, notably of triangular outline, within which the selection meanscan be moved. This area may locally show the color of the mixturedepending for example on the distance from each of the vertices, eachone embodying a pure base product.

The computer system may perform some of the calculations necessary todetermine the fractions of each of the base products that lead to amixture of the desired color.

The computer system may be a smartphone, a camera phone, a tablet, or apersonal computer. As an alternative, it is incorporated into thehousing of the dispenser.

The computer system may have a camera. The latter can be used notablyfor capturing an image of the user and/or of the mixture.

The computer system may be designed to display an image of a face, inorder to make it easier to identify the areas to which the mixture is tobe applied.

Coupling of the Dispensing System to a Spray Means

The dispensing system may have or be connected to a means of sprayingthe mixture, preferably an airbrush.

Another of the aspects of the invention is to improve still further thedispensing systems that comprise a spray system, preferably an airbrush,and according to one of its aspects, independently of or in combinationwith the other aspects, and notably the foregoing, one subject of theinvention is an assembly comprising:

-   -   a spray means, preferably an airbrush having a pickup chamber        subjected to a stream of entrainment air,    -   a dispenser having at least two compartments containing        different base products, the products being delivered to the        spray means preferably via distinct distribution orifices.

The dispenser may have three cartridges containing makeup products ofdifferent colors.

The airbrush may have a stylus defining the pickup chamber, the stylusbeing fixed to the dispenser or to an outlet interface fixed to thedispenser, or forming an integral part of this outlet interface.

The dispensing system may have a circuit controlling operation of thedispenser, allowing the proportion of base products delivered to thepickup chamber to be varied while the airbrush is in operation. Theproportions may be modified depending on the movement of the airbrushrelative to the surface onto which the mixture is sprayed. This movementmay be mechanized, if appropriate.

This control circuit may have or be constituted by a computer system asdefined above.

The housing of the dispenser may act as a hand grip when the assembly isbeing handled for delivering the mixture.

The dispenser may have a camera and/or one or more sensors such asaccelerometers so as to automatically locate the area to which themixture is applied, and so as to be able to automatically regulate thecolor depending on the position, if appropriate.

A further subject of the invention is a method for applying makeup usingan assembly as defined above, in which a mixture is sprayed onto theskin using the spray means, notably the airbrush.

The composition of the mixture can be modified as the airbrush is movedrelative to the skin. A graduated effect can be achieved.

This aspect of the invention is based on the observation that thedispenser can be used to supply the spray system, notably the airbrush,while at the same time allowing the dispensing system to be responsiveenough to allow a change in the color of the mixture dispensed while theface is being made up, notably as the area to be made up changes.

It may be advantageous for the dispensing of products to be performediteratively, notably with dispensing times that are not phase-shiftedbetween the various products.

This may make it easier to vary the composition of the mixture dispensedover time.

The mixture may be created directly in the airbrush, with practically notroublesome dead volume, thus allowing the mixture sprayed to be changedin real time.

The depression created in the pickup chamber is strong enough to entrainthe base products without in any way impeding the metering.

The depression which prevails in the pickup chamber is for examplebetween 10 mbar and 200 mbar, better still between 50 and 150 mbar, evenbetter still between 75 and 125 mbar.

The viscosity of the base products as measured at 1 atm and 25° C. witha CONTRAVES TV rotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuringbar at a frequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of themeasuring bar is, for example, between 0.05 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s.

The cross section of the passages along which the base products arrivein the chamber is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm², better stillbetween 2 and 3 mm².

The product is preferably supplied continuously.

It is also possible to apply immiscible or reactive base products, suchas an aqueous gel and an oily gel, simultaneously, and these will bedeposited directly onto the skin in a pixelated manner, producing a kindof gel/gel in situ, reactive silicones, or colorants that react with oneanother. The ratios of base products can be adjusted depending on theparticular result desired. For example, in the case of aqueous gels andoily gels, the ratio corresponding to the volume of the first baseproduct to the volume of the second base product could be varied between10/1 and 1/10, better still between 5/1 and 1/5.

Location or Auto-Location System

The dispensing system according to the invention may have a location orauto-location system.

A location system is the name given to a means via which the personinputs the area that she is to treat. This can be performed notablyusing systems that leave at least one hand free. Thus, an interface of acomputer system such as a touch screen, a joystick, or voice recognitionsystem can be used.

An auto-location system is the name given to a means for inputting thearea that is to be treated without intervention on the part of theperson. This can be achieved using one or more accelerometers whichdeduce, from the movements, the directions targeted by the person or bya camera and an image recognition system.

Examples of dispensing systems suitable for the invention according toits tenth aspect are shown in the figures, which will not be describedin detail again.

Example (Tenth Aspect of the Invention)

Several base products are created (the proportions are by mass)

The formulation F2 is rich in film-forming agent and volatile solvent.The formulations F1 and F3 are rich in nonvolatile oils (phenyltrimethicone et squalane) and are different colors.

F1 F2 F3 mass % mass % mass % 1 Dimethicone copolyol sold under the 2 22 reference KF 6017 by the company Shin-Etsu Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1dimethicone 0 1 0 sold under the reference Abil EM 90 by the companyGoldschmidt Bis PEG/PPG-14/14 dimethicone + 1 0 1 Cyclopentasiloxanesold under the reference Abil EM 97 by the company GoldschmidtCyclopentasiloxane 17.65 0 17.65 Cyclohexasiloxane 0 8.2 0 Isododecane 01 0 Isohexadecane 0 1.6 0 Phenyl trimethicone sold under the 2 0 2reference DC556 by the company Dow Corning Ethyl hexyl methoxycinnamate3 3 3 Squalane 1 0 1 2 Butyl acrylate copolymer containing 0 10 0dendritic silicone side chains: Tris((trimethylsiloxy)siloxyethyldimethylsiloxy)silylpropyl methacrylate in isododecane(40/60) sold under the reference Dow Corning FA 4002 ID by Dow Corning 3Cyclopentasiloxane 7 0 7 Cyclohexasiloxane 0 7.5 0 Yellow iron oxidecoated with 1.25 1.25 1.65 aluminum stearoyl glutamate NAI- C33-9001-10from the company Miyoshi Kasei Red iron oxide coated with aluminum 0.50.5 0.3 stearoyl glutamate NAI-C33-8001-10 from the company MiyoshiKasei Black iron oxide coated with 0.15 0.15 0.15 aluminum stearoylglutamate NAI- C33-7001-10 from the company Miyoshi Kasei Titaniumdioxide (anatase) coated 10.1 10.1 9.9 with aluminum stearoyl glutamateNAI-TAO-77891 from the company Miyoshi Kasei 4 Talc sold under thereference Micro 0.5 0 0.5 Ace P3 by the company Nippon Talc Nylon 12powder sold under the 0.5 0 0.5 reference SP 500 by the company TorayIndustries Nylon 12 powder sold under the 0 3 0 reference Orgasol 2002EXD NAT COS by the company Arkema Silica microspheres sold under the 0 10 reference SB 700 by the company Miyoshi Kasei Perlite sold under thereference 0 0.2 0 Optimat 2550 OR by the company World MineralsDemineralized water 36.15 34.8 36.15 1,3-Butylene glycol 3 6 3 Magnesiumsulfate 0.7 0.7 0.7 Hydrogenated maltose solution 0.5 0 0.5 Denatured96° ethyl alcohol 13 8 13 TOTAL 100 100 100

Procedure Formulation F2

The constituents of phase A1 are weighed out in the main beaker and arestirred with a Moritz blender (1000 rpm) while maintaining at roomtemperature. Next, phase A2 is added at room temperature, by stirringusing a Moritz blender (1000 rpm) until homogenized.

Phase A3 is prepared separately by milling three times in a three-rollmill the mixture of pigments and of cyclohexasiloxane. This phase A3 isthen added, with continued stirring, along with phases A4 and A5.

The aqueous phase B is also prepared separately, by weighing out in abeaker the butylene glycol and the magnesium sulfate, and by addingwater preheated to 95° C. The aqueous phase is stirred using a magneticbar until homogenized. The emulsion is made at room temperature: theaqueous phase B is poured into the fatty phase while graduallyincreasing the stirring speed (Moritz blender) up to 4000 rpm. Stirringis continued for 10 minutes. Phase C (ethanol) is finally added. Theproduct obtained is stirred using a Rayneri blender (paddles) for 10minutes between 50 and 60 rpm.

Procedure Formulations F1 and F3 The constituents of phase A1 areweighed out in the main beaker and are stirred with a Moritz blender(1000 rpm) while maintaining at room temperature. Phase A3 is preparedseparately by milling three times in a three-roll mill the mixture ofpigments and of cyclopentasiloxane. This phase A3 is then added, withcontinued stirring, along with the fillers (phase A4).

The aqueous phase B is also prepared separately, by weighing out in abeaker the glycerol, the butylene glycol, the magnesium sulfate, thehydrogenated maltose solution, and water at room temperature. Theaqueous phase B is stirred using a magnetic bar until homogenized. A4 BC The emulsion is made at room temperature: the aqueous phase B ispoured into the fatty phase while gradually increasing the stirringspeed (Moritz blender) up to 4000 rpm. Stirring is continued for 7minutes. Finally, phase C (ethyl alcohol) is added for the last 3minutes of 5 the emulsification.

The system was tested with:

-   -   F1        Compartment 1    -   F2        Compartment 2    -   F3        Compartment 3

Test 1

Mixtures are created (volumetric proportions):

(The system is used to deliver doses of 50 to 200 mg of product. Themixtures are then spread little by little, dose by dose).

-   -   50/40/10 for making up the cheekbones in order to give a rosy        look for the cheekbones with average durability and moderate        comfort.    -   10/80/10 for making up the marked areas of the cheekbones, these        areas requiring good durability.    -   20/80/0 for making up the lips, with good durability.    -   30/20/50 for making up the eyelides with good comfort.

Test 2

One day it is cold but, being a weekday, the person has few occasions tobe outside. Thus, she creates mixtures:

(The system is used to deliver doses of 50 to 200 mg of product. Themixtures are then spread little by little, dose by dose).

-   -   (volumetric proportions) 50/40/10 for making up the cheekbones        in order to give a rosy look for the cheekbones with average        durability and moderate comfort.    -   10/80/10 for making up the marked areas of the cheekbones, these        areas requiring good durability.

Another day it is cold but, being at the weekend, the person has plentyof occasions to be outside. Thus, she creates mixtures:

(The system is used to deliver doses of 50 to 200 mg of product. Themixtures are then spread little by little, dose by dose).

-   -   50/30/10 for making up the cheekbones in order to give a red        look for the cheekbones with average durability and moderate        comfort.    -   30/60/10 for making up the marked areas of the cheekbones, these        areas requiring good durability.

The visual effects are similar on both days, but the comfort has beenaltered in the case of the weekend day. Of course, the comfort has beenimproved at the expense of the durability, but by virtue of the qualityof the adjustments, the durability remains optimal.

The invention is not limited to each of the ten aspects that have justbeen described. In particular, it is possible, as part of new variants,to combine features of the invention according to the various aspectsthereof.

SUMMARY

i) (first aspect) System for dispensing a product, having a dispenserthat receives at least two cartridges that each have a reservoircontaining a base product, a first base product comprising at least 0.1%by mass of particles exhibiting a difference in density of at least 0.5g/cm3 with the medium which contains them, notably particles having adensity greater than or equal to 2 g/cm3, and a thickener, the dispensermaking it possible to deliver at least two base products in adjustableproportions, the viscosity of the first base product being greater than2 Pa·s and preferably greater than or equal to 4 Pa·s. The viscosity ofthe base products is measured at 1 atm and 25° C. with a CONTRAVES TVrotary viscometer fitted with an MS-r3 or MS-r4 measuring bar at afrequency of 60 Hz after 10 minutes of rotation of the measuring bar.

ii) System according to i), a second base product having a viscosityless than that of the first base product, notably less than or equal to1 Pa·s, and preferably less than 2 Pa·s.

iii) System according to ii), the second base product having a viscosityless than or equal to 2 Pa·s.

iv) System according to i) to iv), the density of said particles beinggreater than or equal to 5 g/cm3.

v) System according to i) to iv), the particles comprising at least oneof the materials chosen from the following list: bismuth oxychloride,cerium oxide, chromium oxide, zirconium oxide, iron oxide, titaniumoxide, talc, calcium carbonate, silica, boron nitride, tungsten carbide.

vi) System according to i) to v), the second product having no particleswith a density greater than or equal to 2 g/cm3.

vii) System according to i) to vi), comprising a third cartridge with athird base product.

viii) System according to vii), the third base product comprising athickener.

ix) System according to i) to viii), the thickener being chosen fromsaccharide compounds of the rubber type, such as gum arabic, acacia gum,guar gum, gellan gum, karaya gum, carrageenan gum, cellulose-basedcompounds such as CMC, HMC, HPMC, synthetic polymers such as polyacrylicor polymethacrylic acids such as carbomers (Carbopol), or polyurethanes,polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, inverse or direct thick emulsions,combinations of non-aqueous solvents with thickening agents for oil,clays such as bentonite, attapulgite, organochelators, proteins such ascasein or collagen, shear-thinning or thixotropic rheology agents.

x) System according to ix), the thickener being chosen from saccharidecompounds of the rubber type, and its mass content being between 0.1%and 5% in the first base product, better still from 0.8% to 2.5%.

xi) System according to i) to x), the cartridges being received in aremovable manner in the dispenser.

xii) System according to i) to xi), each product leaving the cartridgethrough an outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passage beingdefined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piece beingdriven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drivemechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base productcontained in the cartridge.

xiii) System according to i) to xiii), comprising a mechanism forhomogenizing the first base product, notably a vibrating mechanism.

xiv) (second aspect) System for dispensing a product, optionallyaccording to one of i) to xiii), comprising a dispenser that receives atleast two cartridges that each have a reservoir containing a baseproduct, a first base product comprising a thickener, a second baseproduct comprising an agent for modulating the viscosity of thethickener, the dispenser making it possible to deliver at least thesetwo base products in adjustable proportions.

xv) System according to xiv), and:

First Case:

The first product comprises a pH-sensitive thickening active agent,having a viscosity greater than 2 Pa·s and preferably greater than 4Pa·s, and the second product contains an acid agent that modifies theviscosity of the active agent of the first product upon contact betweenthe two products. The thickening active agent of the first product isnotably a gelling agent based on acrylate or methacrylate polymer orcopolymer, such as a Carbomer, used between 0.8% and 2.5%, and thesecond product is an acidifying agent, such as a mineral or organic acidsuch as citric or lactic acid, used at 0.2% to 10%. The viscosity of thesecond product may be less than or greater than or equal to theviscosity of the first product. Preferably, the viscosity of the secondproduct is between 1 and 3 Pa·s. The pH of the first product is greaterthan 6 and preferably greater than 7. The pH of the second product isless than 6 and preferably less than 5.

Second Case:

The first product has a viscosity greater than 2 Pa·s and preferablygreater than 4 Pa·s, and the second product has a low viscosity, between0.01 and 2. Pa·s, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 Pa·s. The first productand the second product contain notably a gelling agent based on acrylateor methacrylate polymer or copolymer, such as a Carbomer, or apolyose-based gelling agent, with concentrations of gelling agent (allthe gelling agents) in the region of 0.8% to 2.5% for the first and 0%to 2.5% for the second.

Third Case:

The first product comprises a pH-sensitive thickening active agent,having a viscosity less than 2 Pa·s and preferably less than 1 Pa·s, andthe second product contains an alkaline agent that modifies theviscosity of the active agent of the first product upon contact betweenthe two products. The thickening active agent of the first product isnotably a thickening agent based on acrylate or methacrylate polymer orcopolymer, such as a Carbomer, and the second product is a basifyingagent, such as a mineral or organic base such as an amine or aqueousammonia. The viscosity of the second product may be less than or greaterthan or equal to the viscosity of the first product. Preferably, theviscosity of the second product is between 1 and 3 Pa·s. Theconcentration of thickening active agent of the first product may varyfrom 0.8% to 5%, The pH of the first product is less than 6 andpreferably less than 5. The pH of the second product is greater than 6and preferably less than 7.

xvi) System according to xiv) to xv), the thickener having a viscositydependent on the pH and the agent for modulating the viscosity being anacid or a base, notably chosen from aqueous ammonia, amines, sodiumhydroxide, citric acid, lactic acid.

xvii) System according to xiv) to xvi), the agent for modulating theviscosity being a diluent, notable water, ethanol, an oil or a slightlythickened composition of these agents.

xviii) . . . .

xix) . . . .

xx) System according to xiv) to xix), the second base product having aviscosity substantially equal to that of the first base product.

xxi) System according to xiv) to xx), comprising a third cartridge witha third base product.

xxii) System according to xxi), the third base product comprising athickener, notably with a different concentration than that of the firstbase product.

xxiii) System according to xiv) to xxii), the thickener being chosenfrom saccharide compounds of the rubber type, such as gum arabic, acaciagum, guar gum, gellan gum, karaya gum, carrageenan gum, cellulose-basedcompounds such as CMC, HMC, HPMC, synthetic polymers such as polyacrylicor polymethacrylic acids such as carbomers (Carbopol), or polyurethanes,polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, inverse or direct thick emulsions,combinations of non-aqueous solvents with thickening agents for oil,clays such as bentonite, attapulgite, organochelators, proteins such ascasein or collagen, shear-thinning or thixotropic rheology agents.

xxiv) System according to claim xxiii), the thickener being a Carbopolgel, preferably in a neutral or alkaline medium, notably with a contentof between 0.1% and 2.5% by mass.

xxv) System according to claim xxiii), the thickener being chosen fromsaccharide compounds of the rubber type, and its mass content beingbetween 0.2% and 5% in the first base product, better still from 0.8% to2.5%.

xxvi) System according to xiv) to xxv), the cartridges being received ina removable manner in the dispenser.

xxvii) System according to xiv) to xxvi), each product leaving thecartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passagebeing defined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piecebeing driven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drivemechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base productcontained in the cartridge.

xxviii) System according to xiv) to xxvii), comprising a mechanism forhomogenizing the first base product, notably a vibrating mechanism.

xxix) Method for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care product tohuman keratin materials, comprising the setting of the dispenser of adispensing system according to one of the preceding points, depending onthe area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

xxx) Method according to xxix), setting being carried out so as to havethe greatest viscosity, application being carried out on skin blemishes.

xxxi) Method according to xxix), setting being carried out so as to havean intermediate viscosity between the end-point viscosities that can beobtained, application being carried out on skin blemishes or in theunder-eye area.

xxxii) (third aspect) System for dispensing a product, optionallyaccording to one of i) to xxxi), comprising a dispenser that receives atleast two cartridges containing a first base product and a second baseproduct, respectively, the dispenser allowing the delivery of at leastthese two base products in adjustable proportions in order to form afilm, at least one property of which varies depending on the adjustment.

xxxiii) System according to claim xxxii), the property of the film thatvaries being its flexibility.

xxxiv) System according to claim xxxii), the property of the film thatvaries being its oily nature.

xxxv) System according to claim xxxii), the property of the film thatvaries being its tightening nature.

xxxvi) System according to one of xxxii) to xxxv), the two base productsbeing chosen to react with one another to form a film.

xxxvii) System according to xxxvi), the first base product comprising areactive silicone and the second base product comprising a catalyst thatbrings about the crosslinking of the reactive silicone.

xxxviii) System according to xxxvii), the reactive silicone comprising amixture of telechelic polyorganosiloxane bearing a vinyl function at thetwo chain ends and polyhydrogenosiloxane.

xxxix) System according to xxxvii), the catalyst being platinum based.

xl) System according to xxxii) to xxxix), the first base productcomprising a film-forming polymer and the second base product comprisingan oily compound that is liquid at room temperature.

xli) System according to xl), the film-forming polymer having a glasstransition temperature Tg greater than or equal to 30° C., better stillgreater than or equal to 60° C.

xlii) System according to xl) or xli), the film-forming polymer beingchosen from vinyl, notably acrylic, polymers or copolymers.

xliii) System according to xl), the film-forming polymer beingliposoluble.

xliv) System according to xxxii) to xxxv), the first and second baseproducts containing different respective film-forming polymers.

xlv) System according to xliv), the film-forming polymer of the firstbase product having a glass transition temperature Tg1 and the polymerof the second base product having a glass transition temperature Tg2different than Tg1, where preferably Tg1>60° C. and Tg2<10° C.

xlvi) System according to xlv), the first base product comprising apolymer or copolymer chosen from methacrylic polymers and copolymers,polyamides, alkyl celluloses, polymers and copolymers ofvinylpyrrolidone, and silicone resins.

xlvii) System according to xlv), the second base product comprising apolymer or copolymer chosen from acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinylpolymers and copolymers and polycondensates such as polyesters andpolyurethanes.

xlviii) System according to xxxii) to xxxv), the first base productcomprising an oily compound with a melting point Mp1>20° C. and thesecond base product comprising an oily compound with a melting pointMp2<20° C.

xlix) Method for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product tohuman keratin materials, with the aid of a dispensing system accordingto xxxii to xlviii), comprising the setting of the dispenser dependingon the area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

l) (fourth aspect) System for dispensing a cosmetic product, optionallyaccording to any one of the preceding points, comprising a dispenserthat receives at least two cartridges that each have a reservoircontaining a base product, a first base product containing at least oneorganic solvent, the cartridge that contains it having a body made of atleast one of the thermoplastic materials chosen from the list comprisingsimple polyolefins, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyamides andsemi-aromatic polyamides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polybismaleimide,polyurethanes, polyesters, polyepoxides, polyether-block-amide,polyacetal, polyetherketone, polyetherimides (PEI), polyimides,polyamide-imide (PAI), FEP (perfluorinated ethylene propylene), PFA(polyfluoroalkoxy), ECTFE (ethylene chloro trifluoro ethylene), and ETFE(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), and mixtures thereof, and preferablysimple polyolefins, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyamides andsemi-aromatic polyamides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polybismaleimide,and mixtures thereof.

li) System according to 1), the cartridge that comprises the first baseproduct comprising, besides the body of the cartridge, other components,notably mobile components, exposed to the first base product, at leastone of these, notably mobile, components and preferably all of thesecomponents being chosen from the said list.

lii) System according to 1), the total content of organic solvent(s) inthe first base product being greater than or equal to the total watercontent of the first base product.

liii System according to 1) to lii), the total content of organicsolvent(s) in the first base product being greater than or equal to 50%relative to all of the solvents.

liv) System according to 1 to liii), the cartridges being identical,except for their content.

lv) System according to 1) to liv), at least one of the compositionscomprising a perfume.

lvi) System according to 1) to lv), the cartridges being received in aremovable manner in the dispenser.

lvii) System according to 1) to lvi), each product leaving the cartridgethrough an outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passage beingdefined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piece beingdriven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drivemechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base productcontained in the cartridge.

lviii) (fifth aspect) System for dispensing a product, optionallyaccording to any one of points i to lvii), comprising a dispenser thatreceives at least two cartridges that each have a reservoir containingfirst and second base products, respectively, the first base productcomprising a pigment, the second base product comprising a fillerdistinct from the pigment of the first base product, the dispensermaking it possible to deliver at least these two base products inadjustable proportions.

lix) System according to lviii), the particle size D50 by volume of thepigment and of the filler being between 100 nm and 1 mm.

lx) System according to lviii), the particle size D50 by volume of thepigment ranging from 100 nm to 25 microns, better still from 200 nm to10 microns.

lxi) System according to lviii to lx), the pigment being chosen frommineral pigments, and preferably hydrophobic modified mineral pigments,notably those of iron oxide or titanium oxide.

lxii) System according to lviii) to lxi), the pigment having a coatingcomprising at least one lipophilic or hydrophobic compound.

lxiii) System according to lviii) to lxi), the filler being chosen fromtalc, mica, silica, kaolin, poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylenepowder, tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, lauroyllysine, starch,boron nitride, hollow polymer microspheres such as those ofpolyvinylidene chloride/acrylonitrile, acrylic acid copolymermicrospheres, silicone resin microbeads, polyorganosiloxane elastomerparticles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate, aluminumoxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow silicamicrospheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules, the particles that arein the form of hollow sphere portions, and mixtures thereof.

lxiv) System according to lviii) to lxiii), the first base product andthe second base product comprising an inverse emulsion.

lxv) System according to lviii) to lxiii), the mass content of pigmentin the first base product being greater than or equal to 5% andpreferably greater than 10%.

lxvi) System according to lviii) to lxv), the mass content of filler inthe second base product being greater than or equal to 0.5% andpreferably greater than 1%.

lxvii) System according to lviii) to lxvi), comprising a third cartridgewith a third base product.

lxviii) System according to lviii) to lxvii), the cartridges beingreceived in a removable manner in the dispenser.

lxix) System according to lviii) to lxviii), each product leaving thecartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passagebeing defined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piecebeing driven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drivemechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base productcontained in the cartridge.

lxx) Method for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product tohuman keratin materials, with the aid of a dispensing system accordingto lviii) to lxix), comprising the setting of the dispenser depending onthe area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

lxxi) (sixth aspect) System for dispensing a product, optionallyaccording to any one of points i) to lxx), comprising a dispenser thatreceives at least two cartridges containing first and second baseproducts, respectively, the first base product comprising, notably inthe form of an inverse emulsion, an organic sunscreen and an oil, thesecond base product comprising an oil, the dispenser making it possibleto deliver at least these two base products in adjustable proportions,the concentration of sunscreen in the first base product being greaterthan that of the second base product, and the concentration of oil inthe second base product being greater than that of the first baseproduct.

lxxii) System according to lxxi), the mass content of organic sunscreenin the first base product being greater than or equal to 2%, preferably4%.

lxxiii) System according to lxxi), the mass content of oil(s) in thesecond base product being greater than 2%, preferably 4%.

lxxiv) System according to lxxi), the second base product not containingany organic sunscreen.

lxxv) System according to lxxi), the second base product comprising anorganic sunscreen.

lxxvi) System according to lxxi), at least one of the first and secondbase products containing a coloring agent.

lxxvii) System according to lxxvi), the coloring agent being chosen frompigments, notably iron oxides.

lxxviii) System according to lxxvi) or lxxvii), each of the first andsecond base products comprising a coloring agent.

lxxix) System according to lxxi) to lxxviii), at least one of the firstand second base products containing a colorless filler.

lxxx) System according to lxxix), each of the first and second baseproducts comprising a colorless filler.

lxxxi) System according to lxxi) to lxxx), comprising a third cartridgewith a third base product.

lxxxii) System according to lxxxi) to lxxx), the cartridges beingreceived in a removable manner in the dispenser.

lxxxiii) System according to lxxxi) to lxxxii), each product leaving thecartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passagebeing defined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piecebeing driven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drivemechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base productcontained in the cartridge.

lxxxiv) Process for adjusting a system according to lxxxi) to lxxxiii),comprising the adjustment of the dispenser depending on the area to betreated with the product and/or the intensity of the UV radiation.

lxxxv) (seventh aspect) System for dispensing a product, optionallyaccording to any one of the preceding points, comprising a dispenserthat receives at least two cartridges that each have a reservoircontaining first and second base products, respectively, the first baseproduct comprising at least one of an oil, an interference pigment or apigment with a metallic tint, the second base product comprising amatting filler, the dispenser making it possible to deliver at leastthese two base products in adjustable proportions.

lxxxvi) System according to lxxxv), the first base product containing anoil.

lxxxvii) System according to lxxxv) or lxxxvi), the first base productcontaining an interference pigment.

lxxxviii) System according to lxxxv) to lxxxvii), the first base productcontaining a pigment with a metallic tint.

lxxxix) System according to lxxxv) to lxxxviii), the particle size D50by volume of the pigment and of the filler being between 100 nm and 1mm.

xc) System according to lxxxv) to lxxxix), the filler being chosen fromtalc, mica, silica, kaolin, poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylenepowder, tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, lauroyllysine, starch,boron nitride, hollow polymer microspheres such as those ofpolyvinylidene chloride/acrylonitrile, acrylic acid copolymermicrospheres, silicone resin microbeads, polyorganosiloxane elastomerparticles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate, aluminumoxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow silicamicrospheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules, the particles that arein the form of hollow sphere portions, and mixtures thereof.

xci) System according to lxxxv) to lxxxix), the first base product andthe second base product comprising an inverse emulsion.

xcii) System according to lxxxv) to xci), the mass content of filler inthe second base product being greater than or equal to 0.5% andpreferably greater than or equal to 1%.

xciii) System according to lxxxv) to xcii), comprising a third cartridgewith a third base product.

xciv) System according to lxxxv) to xciii), the cartridges beingreceived in a removable manner in the dispenser.

xcv) System according to lxxxv) to xciv), each product leaving thecartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passagebeing defined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piecebeing driven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drivemechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base productcontained in the cartridge.

xcvi) Method for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product tohuman keratin materials, with the aid of a dispensing system accordingto lxxxv) to xcv), comprising the setting of the dispenser depending onthe area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

xcvii) (eighth aspect) System for dispensing a product, optionallyaccording to any one of the preceding points, comprising a dispenserthat receives at least two cartridges that each have a reservoircontaining first and second base products, respectively, the first baseproduct comprising a moisturizing agent, the second base productcomprising a filler, the dispenser making it possible to deliver atleast these two base products in adjustable proportions.

xcviii) System according to xcvii), the moisturizing agent being chosenfrom polyols, urea and its derivatives, such as notably hydroxyalkylurea, in particular hydroxyethylurea, hyaluronic acid, glycine,β-alanine, taurine, trimethyl glycine, and mixtures thereof.

xcix) System according to xcvii) to xcviii), the particle size D50 byvolume of the filler being between 100 nm and 1 mm.

c) System according to xcvii) to xcix), the filler being chosen fromtalc, mica, silica, kaolin, poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylenepowder, tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, lauroyllysine, starch,boron nitride, hollow polymer microspheres such as those ofpolyvinylidene chloride/acrylonitrile, acrylic acid copolymermicrospheres, silicone resin microbeads, polyorganosiloxane elastomerparticles, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,magnesium hydrogen carbonate, hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate, aluminumoxides, polyurethane powders, composite fillers, hollow silicamicrospheres, and glass or ceramic microcapsules, the particles that arein the form of hollow sphere portions, and mixtures thereof.

ci) System according to xcvii) to c), the first base product and thesecond base product comprising an inverse emulsion.

cii) System according to xcvii) to ci), the mass content of filler inthe second base product being greater than or to 0.5% and preferablygreater than 1%.

ciii) System according to xcvii) to cii), comprising a third cartridgewith a third base product.

civ) System according to xcvii) to ciii), the cartridges being receivedin a removable manner in the dispenser.

cv) System according to xcvii) to civ), each product leaving thecartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passagebeing defined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piecebeing driven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drivemechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base productcontained in the cartridge.

cvi) Method for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product tohuman keratin materials, with the aid of a dispensing system accordingto xcvii) to cv), comprising the setting of the dispenser depending onthe area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

cvii) (ninth aspect) System for dispensing a perfumed product,optionally according to any one of the preceding points, comprising adispenser that receives at least two cartridges containing first andsecond base products, respectively, the first base product comprising acomposition containing at least one alcohol and at least one cellulosederivative, the dispenser making it possible to deliver at least thesetwo base products in adjustable proportions.

cviii) System according to cvii), each base product comprising acomposition containing at least one alcohol and at least one cellulosederivative.

cix) System according to cvii) or cviii), the first base product or eachbase product having a mass concentration of alcohol relative to theother, non-alcoholic compound(s) of at least 80/20, better still 90/10.

cx) System according to cvii) to cix), the first base product or eachbase product containing at least 50% by mass of ethanol, better still atleast 80% of ethanol in its solvent phase.

cxi) System according to cvii) to cx), the first base product or eachbase product containing at least one odorous compound, preferably chosenfrom esters, carbonates, acids, anhydrides, aldehydes, alcohols,aliphatic compounds without functions other than alkanes and alkenes,and mixtures thereof.

cxii) System according to claim cxi), the odorous compound(s) beingchosen from hexanal, octanal, nonanal, decanal, undecanal, dodecanal,tridecanal, 2-methyldecanal, 2-methylundecanal, trans-2-hexenal,cis-4-heptanal, 2,6 dimethyl-5-hepten-1-al, E-4-decenal, 10-undecenal,2-dodecenal, 1,1-dimethoxy-2,2,5-trimethyl-4-hexene,2-methyl-2-pentenoic acid, (S)-(+)-2-methylbutanoic acid, ethyl formate,cis-3-hexenyl formate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isoamyl acetate,hexyl acetate, 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl acetate, trans-2-hexenyl acetate,cis-3-hexenyl acetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, butyl butyrate,isoamyl butyrate, hexyl butyrate, cis-3-hexenyl isobutyrate, ethylisovalerate, ethyl-2-methyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl 2-methylpentanoate, 2-propenyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, 2-propenylheptanoate, ethyl octanoate, methyl 2-nonenoate, ethyl2-trans-4-cis-decadienoate, methyl 2-octynoate, methyl 2-nonynoate,ethyl 3-octobutanoate, allyl amyl glycolate, Z-3-hexenyl methylcarbonate, 3-octanol; 2,6-dimethyl-2-heptanol, trans-2-hexen-1 ol;3-hexen-1-ol, 1-octen-3-ol, 9-decen-1-ol, 10-undecen-1-ol,2-trans-6-cis-nonadien-1-ol, 4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol, myrcene, ocimene,beta-Farnesene, citral, citral diethyl acetate, citronellal,methoxydihydrocitronellal, 2,6,10-trimethyl-9-undecanal, cis-geranicacid, citronellic acid, geranyl ester (formate, acetate, propionate,isobutyrate, isovalerate), neryl acetate, linalyl esters (formate,acetate, propionate, isobutyrate), citronellyl esters (formate, acetate,propionate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, tiglate) and esters of myrcenol,geraniol, nerol, linalool, myrcenol, lavendulol, citronellol,trans,trans-farnesol, trans-nerolidol, tetrahydrogeraniol,tetrahydrolinalool, avendulol, trans,trans-farnesol, trans-nerolidol,tetrahydrogeraniol, tetrahydrolinalool, limonene, terpinene,terpinolene, phellandrene, camphene, 3-carene, menthyl ester (acetate,lactate), alpha-terpinyl esters (acetate), noryl esters (acetate),bornyl esters (acetate), isobornyl esters (acetate), cedryl esters(acetate), 2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde,4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde,1-(4-isopropycyclohexyl)ethanol,2-methyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)butanol,2-methyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)butenol,3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol,3,3-dimethyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol,indole, p-cymene, diphenylmethane, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde,phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, dihydrocinnamaldehyde,2-phenylpropanal, cyclamen aldehyde,2-methyl-3-(4-tert-butyl-phenyl)propanal, cinnamaldehyde, heliotropin,furfuraldehyde, benzyl esters (acetate, propionate, isovalerate),phenethyl esters (acetate, isobutyrate, isovalerate),alpha-trichloromethylbenzyl ester (acetate), cinnamyl acetate, benzoateester (acetate, hexyl, benzyl), phenylacetate ethyl, phenylacetategeranyl, methyl cinnamate, benzyl cinnamate, phenyl ethyl cinnamate,eugenol acetate, phenylacetic acid, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethylalcohol, styrallyl alcohol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol,cinnamyl alcohol, 3-methyl-5-phenylpentanol, thymol, anethole,isoeugenol, eugenol, anise alcohol, raspberry ketone, ethylmaltol,2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2-propylphenol, 2-(methylthio)phenol,ortho-guaiacol, 4-methyl guaiacol, abietic anhydride, citraconicanhydride.

cxiii) System according to cvii) to cxii), the cellulose derivativebeing chosen from derivatives of cellulose obtained by reacting basifiedcellulose with propylene oxide or ethylene oxide.

cxiv) System according to cvii) to cxiii), the cellulose derivativebeing hydroxypropylcellulose.

cxv) System according to cvii) to cxiv), the size of the cellulosederivative being greater than or equal to 10 000, better still betweenaround 850 000 and around 1 150 000.

cxvi) System according to cvii) to cxv), the total mass content ofcellulose compound(s) varying between 0.1% and 20%, better still between0.5% and 5%, the percentage being expressed relative to the mass of thebase product.

cxvii) System according to cvii) to cxvi), comprising a third cartridgewith a third base product.

cxviii) System according to cvii) to cxvii), the cartridges beingreceived in a removable manner in the dispenser.

cxix) System according to cvii) to cxviii), each product leaving thecartridge through an outlet passage of the cartridge, the outlet passagebeing defined by a dispensing end piece of the cartridge, said end piecebeing driven in rotation relative to a body of the cartridge by a drivemechanism of the dispenser in order to dispense the base productcontained in the cartridge.

cxx) System according to cvii) to cxix), having an electronic memory forrecording, in association with a dispensed product, the respectiveproportions of each of the base products of this product, in order to beable to automatically dispense this product again later.

cxxi) Method for generating a perfumed product with the aid of a systemaccording to cvii) to cxx), wherein one or more base products containedin respective cartridges of the dispenser is/are selected, and the baseproducts selected are dispensed in chosen quantities.

cxxii) Method according to cxxi), wherein the proportions of thedifferent base products making up the dispensed product are alsomemorized.

cxxiii) (tenth aspect) System for dispensing a product, optionallyaccording to any one of the preceding points, comprising a dispenserthat receives at least two cartridges containing a first base productand a second base product, respectively, the dispenser making itpossible to deliver at least these two base products in adjustableproportions, the first base product comprising a volatile solvent and afilm-forming polymer, the second base product comprising a nonvolatileoil.

cxxiv) System according to cxxiii), the first base product being in theform of a liquid anhydrous composition.

cxxv) System according to cxxiii) or cxxiv), the second base productbeing in the form of an anhydrous liquid composition.

cxxvi) System according to cxxiii) to cxxv), the first base productcomprising an inverse emulsion.

cxxvii) System according to cxxiii) to cxxvi), the second base productcomprising an inverse emulsion.

cxxviii) System according to cxxiii) to cxxvii), the film-formingpolymer being hydrophobic.

cxxix) System according to cxxiii), the property of the film that variesbeing its flexibility.

cxxx) System according to cxxiii), the property of the film that variesbeing its oily nature.

cxxxi) System according to cxxiii), the property of the film that variesbeing its tightening nature.

cxxxii) System according to cxxii) to cxxxi), the two base productsbeing chosen to react with one another to form a film.

cxxxiii) System according to cxxxii), the first base product comprisinga reactive silicone and the second base product comprising a catalystthat brings about the crosslinking of the reactive silicone.

cxxxiv) System according to cxxxiii), the reactive silicone comprising amixture of telechelic polyorganosiloxane bearing a vinyl function at thetwo chain ends and polyhydrogenosiloxane.

cxxxv) System according to cxxxiii), the catalyst being platinum based.

cxxxvi) System according to cxxxiii), the first base product comprisinga film-forming polymer and the second base product comprising an oilycompound that is liquid at room temperature.

cxxxvii) System according to cxxxvi), the film-forming polymer having aglass transition temperature Tg greater than or equal to 30° C., betterstill greater than or equal to 60° C.

cxxxviii) System according to cxxxvi) or cxvii), the film-formingpolymer being chosen from vinyl, notably acrylic, polymers orcopolymers.

cxxxix) System according to cxxxvi) or cxvii), the film-forming polymerbeing liposoluble.

cxl) System according to cxxiii) to cxxviii), the first and second baseproducts containing different respective film-forming polymers.

cxli) System according to claim cxl), the film-forming polymer of thefirst base product having a glass transition temperature Tg1 and thepolymer of the second base product having a glass transition temperatureTg2 different than Tg1, where preferably Tg1>60° C. and Tg2<10° C.

cxlii) System according to claim cxl), the first base product comprisinga polymer or copolymer chosen from methacrylic polymers and copolymers,polyamides, alkyl celluloses, polymers and copolymers ofvinylpyrrolidone, and silicone resins.

cxliii) System according to claim cxl), the second base productcomprising a polymer or copolymer chosen from acrylic polymers andcopolymers, vinyl polymers and copolymers and polycondensates such aspolyesters and polyurethanes.

cxliv) System according to cxxiii) to cxxviii), the first base productcomprising an oily compound with a melting point Mp1>20° C. and thesecond base product comprising an oily compound with a melting pointMp2<20° C.

cxlv) Method for applying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care product tohuman keratin materials, with the aid of a dispensing system accordingto cxxiii) to cxliv), comprising the setting of the dispenser dependingon the area to be treated, and the dispensing of the product by baseproducts being picked up from the cartridges in the proportionscorresponding to the setting of the dispenser.

In the listing above, “according to . . . to . . . ” should beunderstood as meaning according to one of points to . . . ; for example“according to i) to iii)” means according to i), ii) or iii).

1. System for dispensing a product comprising a dispenser that receivesat least two cartridges that each have a reservoir containing first andsecond base products, respectively, the first base product comprising apigment, the second base product comprising a filler distinct from thepigment of the first base product, the dispenser making it possible todeliver at least these two base products in adjustable proportions. 2.System according to claim 1, the particle size D50 by volume of thepigment and of the filler being between 100 nm and 1 mm.
 3. Systemaccording to claim 1, the particle size D50 by volume of the pigmentranging from 100 nm to 25 microns.
 4. System according to claim 1, thepigment being chosen from mineral pigments.
 5. System according to claim1, the pigment being chosen from hydrophobic modified mineral pigments6. System according to claim 1, the pigment being chosen from iron oxideor titanium oxide.
 7. System according to claim 1, the pigment having acoating comprising at least one lipophilic or hydrophobic compound. 8.System according to claim 1, the filler being chosen from talc, mica,silica, kaolin, poly-β-alanine powder and polyethylene powder,tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, lauroyllysine, starch, boronnitride, hollow polymer microspheres such as those of polyvinylidenechloride/acrylonitrile, acrylic acid copolymer microspheres, siliconeresin microbeads, polyorganosiloxane elastomer particles, precipitatedcalcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydrogen carbonate,hydroxyapatite, barium sulfate, aluminum oxides, polyurethane powders,composite fillers, hollow silica microspheres, and glass or ceramicmicrocapsules, the particles that are in the form of hollow sphereportions, and mixtures thereof.
 9. System according to claim 1, thefirst base product and the second base product comprising an inverseemulsion.
 10. System according claim 1, the mass content of pigment inthe first base product being greater than or equal to 5%.
 11. Systemaccording to claim 1, the mass content of filler in the second baseproduct being greater than or equal to 0.5%.
 12. System according toclaim 1, comprising a third cartridge with a third base product. 13.System according to claim 1, the cartridges being received in aremovable manner in the dispenser.
 14. System according to claim 1, eachproduct leaving the cartridge through an outlet passage of thecartridge, the outlet passage being defined by a dispensing end piece ofthe cartridge, said end piece being driven in rotation relative to abody of the cartridge by a drive mechanism of the dispenser in order todispense the base product contained in the cartridge.
 15. Method forapplying a cosmetic, makeup and/or care, product to human keratinmaterials, with the aid of a dispensing system according to claim 1,comprising the setting of the dispenser depending on the area to betreated, and the dispensing of the product by base products being pickedup from the cartridges in the proportions corresponding to the settingof the dispenser.